Another quiet morning, and Nick was making coffee when Chas padded into the kitchen wearing her pastel lavender pajama dress. The hem swayed just above her knees, and the soft fabric looked like it was made for cozy mornings. She yawned as she grabbed a mug, her sleepy eyes barely open.
“Morning,” she mumbled, her voice groggy.
Nick handed her the coffee he’d just poured. “Morning. You’re really committed to these pastel colors, huh?”
Chas chuckled, taking a sip. “They’re comfy. And they make me feel cute.”
Nick chuckled too, shaking his head. “They do.” He said it so softly that she didn’t catch it, but he felt a slight flush rise to his face as he turned back to the coffee pot.
Chas leaned against the counter, her mug cradled in both hands as the warm aroma of coffee slowly woke her up. She glanced over at Nick, who was still busy at the coffee pot, his back turned to her. “What about you? Why are you always in these plain gray or black shirts?” she teased, her voice still tinged with sleep.
Nick smirked, glancing at her over his shoulder. “They’re classic. And they make me feel cool.”
Chas laughed softly, the sound light and cheerful, breaking the quiet of the morning. “Fair enough,” she said, taking another sip.
Nick turned fully to face her now, leaning casually against the counter opposite her. “You slept in pretty late,” he commented, his tone light but curious.
Chas shrugged, brushing a stray curl away from her face. “Yeah… I was up late watching youtube.”
“Let me guess,” Nick started, raising an eyebrow. “Another one of those mystery thrillers conspiracies? Or was it something about psychology this time for studying?”
Chas grinned. “Mystery thriller. You know me too well.”
Nick crossed his arms, a small, playful smile tugging at his lips. “Of course I do. I live with you, remember? Hard not to pick up on your habits.”
Chas tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at him with a mock-serious expression. “I could say the same about you, Mr. I-Listen-to-Soft-Rock-on-Repeat.”
Nick laughed, a deep, warm sound that made her smile grow wider. “Touché.”
The moment hung comfortably between them, the kind of peaceful, easy companionship that had grown so naturally over time. Nick’s eyes flicked down to her mug, noticing the way her hands were wrapped snugly around it, her fingers adorned with simple rings that caught the light.
“You know,” he said, his tone quieter now, “mornings like this… they’re nice. Just… simple.”
Chas looked up at him, caught off guard by the softness in his voice. Her expression softened, and she nodded. “Yeah, they are.”
For a moment, neither of them said anything, just sipping their coffee and basking in the quiet intimacy of the morning. Then Chas broke the silence with a small, teasing smile. “So, do I get a compliment for my cute pajamas or not?”
Nick chuckled, shaking his head as he pushed off the counter. “You’re fishing for compliments now?”
“Maybe,” she replied, her grin cheeky.
Nick walked past her, giving her shoulder a light, playful nudge as he moved toward the living room. “Alright, fine. They’re cute. But don’t let it go to your head.”
Chas laughed, her cheeks warming as she followed him. “Too late.”
At the breakfast table, Nick placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of Chas while she poured herself another cup of coffee. The soft morning light streamed through the windows, adding a golden hue to their quiet corner of the world.
“Thanks for this,” Chas said, grabbing her fork. “I was half-expecting you to serve cereal again.”
Nick smirked, sitting down with his own plate. “What can I say? I’m full of surprises.”
Chas chuckled as she took a bite. “You’re really stepping up your breakfast game, huh? Should I be impressed?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Nick teased. “I just figured if you’re sticking around, I should at least make the mornings bearable.”
Chas rolled her eyes, but a smile lingered on her face. “Bearable? Please, you’d be lost without me here to liven things up.”
Nick gave her a mock-serious look, pointing his fork in her direction. “Don’t get too cocky, Lavender Pajamas. I survived just fine before you showed up.”
“Oh, sure,” Chas shot back, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. “You and your midnight snack binges in the kitchen, all alone, definitely screamed thriving.”
Nick laughed, shaking his head. “Alright, alright. Maybe things are a little less… quiet with you around.”
“A little?” Chas arched a brow, grinning.
“Okay, a lot,” he admitted, smirking. “Happy now?”
“Very,” she replied, her grin widening as she took another bite of toast.
Their banter settled into a comfortable silence as they ate. The sound of forks against plates and the occasional sip of coffee filled the room. Nick glanced over at Chas, who was absentmindedly poking at her eggs, a thoughtful look on her face.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
Chas looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Nothing serious. Just… it’s nice, you know? This. Us sitting here, eating breakfast, just talking.”
Nick nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, it is.”
Chas hesitated for a moment before adding, “I never really had this kind of thing growing up. It was always chaos at the orphanage in the mornings—kids running around, trying to grab whatever food they could before school. I guess I never realized how much I’d appreciate something this… simple.”
Nick’s expression softened. “You deserve this, Chas. You deserve mornings like this—and more.”
Her eyes met his, and for a brief moment, there was a quiet understanding between them, a connection that didn’t need words.
“Thanks, Nick,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
He gave her a small nod, breaking the moment with a casual tone. “Well, don’t get used to it. Tomorrow, it’s probably cereal again.”
Chas laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Noted. I’ll savor this while it lasts.”
Nick grinned, picking up his coffee. “Good idea. But don’t worry—I might surprise you again someday.”
“Looking forward to it,” Chas replied, her smile lingering as they finished their breakfast, the warmth of the morning setting the tone for the rest of their day.
As they finished their breakfast, Nick leaned back in his chair, nursing the last bit of his coffee. He glanced at Chas, who was absentmindedly tapping her fork on her empty plate.
“So, what’s on your agenda today?” he asked casually.
Chas perked up, setting her fork down. “Not much, actually. I only have one lecture today at 10:00, so I’ll be back around 12:00. After that, I’m meeting up with my high school besties—Nara, Nichole, and Charlyn.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “Ah, the legendary trio I keep hearing about. What’s the plan with them?”
Chas grinned, leaning her chin on her hand. “Just the usual. Catching up, maybe some coffee or lunch. It’s been forever since we all hung out in person, so it’ll be nice to see them again.”
“Sounds fun,” Nick said, nodding. “Where are you meeting them?”
“Probably at this café near Covent Garden. Charlyn suggested it—it’s supposed to have great pastries,” Chas replied, her eyes lighting up.
Nick smirked. “You and your sweets. I should’ve guessed.”
“Hey, pastries make the world a better place,” Chas shot back, laughing. “What about you? Any big plans today?”
Nick shrugged. “Just some work on a few songs I’ve been tinkering with. Might head to the studio later, depending on how productive I feel.”
“Studio time, huh?” Chas tilted her head. “Is it for that new project you mentioned?”
“Yeah,” Nick said, a small smile playing on his lips. “Nothing concrete yet, but it’s starting to come together. We’ll see.”
Chas nodded, her expression warm. “I’m sure it’ll be great. You’re too talented for it not to be.”
Nick chuckled, brushing off the compliment. “Thanks. I’ll let you know if I actually manage to finish something worth listening to.”
“You better,” Chas teased, standing up to clear her plate. “I want to be the first to hear it.”
Nick watched her as she moved around the kitchen, her energy infectious even in the quiet moments. “Deal,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a smile.
As Chas rinsed her plate, she glanced over her shoulder. “Well, I better get ready. Don’t want to be late for my lecture.”
Nick nodded, finishing his coffee. “Have fun with your friends later. And don’t forget to bring me back a pastry.”
Chas laughed. “We’ll see. You might have to fight me for it.”
Nick grinned. “Challenge accepted.”
The warmth of their conversation lingered as they both prepared to head off into their day, their growing connection making even the simplest moments feel special.
-------------------------------------------------------
The rain drummed gently against the windows as Chas prepared to leave. She pulled on her coat, smoothing it over her fitted sweater and plaid mini skirt. Her boots clicked softly on the floor as she moved around, grabbing her umbrella.
Nick, who had been working in his studio, emerged at the sound of her footsteps. He leaned against the doorway, watching her with an amused expression.
“Do people really dress up for rainy days?” he teased, his tone light but laced with admiration.
Chas turned, her lips curling into a playful smirk. “It’s called looking cute always, Nick. You wouldn’t understand.” She gave a mock twirl, letting the hem of her skirt flare slightly.
Nick chuckled, shaking his head. “Right, of course. Because rainy weather screams fashion show.”
“You’re just jealous you don’t have this level of commitment,” she shot back, grabbing her umbrella and twirling it like a prop.
As she stood by the door, pulling on her coat and adjusting the collar, Nick found himself pausing. She wasn’t trying, but she looked effortlessly radiant—her youthful energy and confidence shining through even on a dreary afternoon.
“Stay out of puddles,” he called, his voice carrying a mix of teasing and genuine concern.
Chas glanced over her shoulder with a grin. “Don’t worry, Dad!”
The door shut behind her, her laughter lingering in the air. Nick stood there for a moment, leaning back against the wall. A small smile tugged at his lips as he thought about her quick wit and easy charm.
“She has no idea,” he murmured to himself, shaking his head as he returned to his studio, her presence still brightening the otherwise gray afternoon.
-------------------------------------------------------
At a charming café in Covent Garden, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Chas finally reunited with her high school friends. The rain outside added a cozy vibe to the bustling café, where laughter and the clinking of cups created the perfect backdrop for their long-overdue meetup.
First to greet her was Nichole, who rose from her seat with a bright smile. Her fair skin and delicate features reflected her Chinese Singaporean heritage, a blend of tradition and modernity. Growing up in London with her immigrant parents and siblings had shaped her into someone both grounded and refined. She hugged Chas tightly.
“Chas! You look amazing!” Nichole exclaimed.
“Me? Look at you! Still as flawless as ever,” Chas replied with a grin as she set her umbrella aside.
Next to Nichole was Nara, who exuded effortless confidence with her exotic, sultry look. Her tan skin closely matched Chas’s, but her wavy black bob and striking dark eyes gave her an aura that instantly drew attention. As the daughter of a Spanish mother and an English father, Nara had always turned heads without even trying. She leaned back in her chair, smirking.
“Well, well, look who finally decided to bless us with her presence,” Nara teased, her voice playful.
“Don’t start with me, Nara,” Chas shot back with a laugh. “You look like you just walked off the cover of a magazine as usual.”
“Oh, you know me. Just a casual Tuesday,” Nara joked, striking a faux-model pose that made them all laugh.
Finally, Charlyn stepped in from the counter, carefully balancing a tray of drinks and desserts. Her long, wavy brunette hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her fair, soft features. She had always been the most feminine and stylish of the group, her flair for fashion evident in her impeccably coordinated outfit.
“Okay, ladies, I come bearing caffeine and sugar,” Charlyn announced, placing the tray down with a flourish. She turned to Chas, her eyes lighting up. “And look at you! Still rocking that effortlessly chic vibe. It’s so unfair.”
“Charlyn, you’re the one who looks like a fashion influencer,” Chas said, laughing as she hugged her.
The four of them settled into their seats, the conversation flowing easily as they caught up on each other’s lives. It had been years since high school, but moments like this made it feel like no time had passed at all.
As they sipped their drinks and indulged in the desserts Charlyn had brought over, the conversation naturally drifted toward their high school days, igniting laughter and nostalgia.
“Do you guys remember how we used to sneak out of biology class to hide in the medical room?” Nichole asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Charlyn nearly choked on her latte as she laughed. “Oh my God, yes! And the nurse just let us stay there, pretending we had stomachaches or migraines. We’d literally nap on those hard beds like they were luxury mattresses.”
“And don’t forget how we used to play games on our phones while we were there,” Nara added, a grin spreading across her face. “You were always trying to beat that candy-matching game, Chas.”
Chas rolled her eyes, smiling. “Hey, I was addicted, okay? Plus, I needed something to pass the time while we were pretending to be sick.”
Nichole giggled. “We thought we were so clever, but I’m pretty sure Mrs. Green, the biology teacher, knew exactly where we were. She just didn’t care enough to deal with us.”
“That woman had bigger problems than four girls skipping class,” Charlyn said, flipping her hair dramatically. “Like the fact that half the class was failing her tests.”
The group erupted into laughter, their voices blending with the background chatter of the café.
“What about that time we skipped the school event in the hall?” Nara asked, leaning forward conspiratorially.
Chas groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Don’t remind me. We hid in the bathroom for what felt like hours.”
“And then we started daring each other to climb onto the counters and peek into the hall through that tiny bathroom window,” Charlyn added, her laughter barely contained. “I thought we were going to get caught for sure.”
“You almost did when you dropped your phone!” Nichole pointed out, wagging a finger at Charlyn.
“Hey, I caught it before it hit the floor,” Charlyn protested, though she couldn’t keep a straight face. “Barely.”
Nara shook her head, smirking. “I swear, we were so reckless. But honestly, those were some of the best moments of high school. Just us, doing whatever we wanted and not caring about the rules.”
Chas smiled warmly, looking around at her friends. “Yeah, those were the days. Life was so much simpler back then.”
Nichole raised her cup in a mock toast. “Here’s to simpler times and all the trouble we caused.”
The others clinked their cups together, laughter echoing between them, the warmth of their shared memories making the rainy afternoon feel brighter.
As the laughter died down and they each took a sip of their drinks, Nara suddenly smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Speaking of high school, guess who I ran into recently?”
The group turned to her curiously.
“Who?” Charlyn asked, tilting her head.
Nara leaned back in her chair, playing it cool. “Cole.”
Chas nearly choked on her tea. “Wait, Cole? Our Cole? The short troublemaker who never stopped picking fights with me?”
Nichole gasped, her face lighting up with surprise. “No way! I haven’t heard about him in forever. What’s he up to?”
“Well,” Nara began, clearly enjoying the moment, “he’s working as a graphic designer now. And since I knew I’d see you guys today, I invited him to stop by.”
Charlyn clapped her hands together. “Are you serious? He’s coming here?”
As if on cue, the door to the café swung open, and there he was—Cole, looking almost the same but more grown-up. He still had the same lively energy in his eyes, his dark skin glowing under the café lights, though he’d traded his high school hoodies for a stylish bomber jacket.
“Cole!” Nara called out, waving him over.
He spotted them and broke into a grin, making his way to their table. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the troublemakers of Jefferson High.”
“Look who’s talking,” Chas shot back, crossing her arms but unable to hide her smile. “The guy who started half the trouble we got into.”
“Hey, I prefer the term instigator,” Cole said, sliding into the seat next to her. “And anyway, you gave as good as you got. You were always trying to roast me.”
“Because you always deserved it,” Chas quipped, though her tone was playful. “Remember that time you ‘accidentally’ poured juice all over my notes during lunch?”
Cole smirked. “You mean the time you tried to trip me in the cafeteria line right before that?”
The table erupted in laughter as the two of them launched into their usual banter, just like old times.
“Some things never change,” Charlyn said, shaking her head.
“But seriously, Cole,” Nichole cut in, “we thought you disappeared on us after graduation. What happened?”
Cole shrugged, his smile turning a bit sheepish. “Life happened, you know? College, work… I lost my phone with everyone’s numbers in it, and then I just kind of… drifted. But running into Nara was like fate. I’ve missed you guys.”
“Aww, we missed you too,” Charlyn said, reaching over to squeeze his arm.
“Even me?” Chas teased, raising an eyebrow.
Cole grinned. “Especially you, troublemaker. My days have been way too quiet without you yelling at me.”
Chas rolled her eyes but laughed, the warmth of the reunion filling her chest. It was like no time had passed at all, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful for moments like this—where old friends felt like home, no matter how much time had gone by.
As the conversation continued, Nichole suddenly tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at Cole. “Wait a second… something’s different about you.”
“What do you mean?” Cole asked, raising an eyebrow.
Charlyn leaned closer, examining him with mock seriousness. “Yeah, it’s like… you’re not as short as you used to be.”
Chas gasped dramatically. “Oh my god, that’s it! Cole actually grew taller!”
The entire table burst into laughter as Cole groaned, throwing his head back. “You guys are so predictable.”
“No, seriously,” Nara said, grinning mischievously. “Back in high school, you barely came up to my shoulder, and now look at you—almost as tall as Chas. What are you, six feet now?”
“Six feet?!” Chas said, squinting up at him playfully. “Nah, more like five-seven tops. Let’s not get carried away.”
“Excuse you, I’m five-nine,” Cole shot back, puffing out his chest.
“Sure you are,” Charlyn teased. “With the right shoes, maybe.”
Cole crossed his arms, pretending to look offended. “You’re all just jealous that I’ve finally outgrown my high school nickname.”
“Oh, you mean Shortstop?” Nichole said, trying and failing to stifle her laughter.
Cole groaned again, though his grin gave him away. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
“Never,” Chas said with a smug smile. “But hey, congratulations on finally joining the slightly-taller-than-average club. We’re proud of you.”
“Gee, thanks,” Cole replied, rolling his eyes but laughing along with them. “I’ve missed being roasted by you guys. It’s good to know nothing’s changed.”
“Some things never will,” Nara said, raising her cup in a toast. “Here’s to old friends and endless teasing!”
They all raised their glasses, the café filled with their laughter, and Cole couldn’t help but feel grateful to be back in the fold, even if it meant enduring their relentless jokes.
Nichole took a sip of her coffee and leaned back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Do you guys remember that one lunch break where Chas and Cole were arm-wrestling? And the loser had to buy the winner a snack?”
Chas groaned, already knowing where this was going. “Oh no, not this story again.”
“Oh, we’re absolutely telling it,” Nichole said with a grin. “It’s a classic.”
Cole laughed, leaning forward. “Hey, I remember this! Didn’t I win that one?”
“Please,” Chas scoffed, crossing her arms. “You cheated!”
“Cheated?” Cole said, feigning shock. “I was just stronger!”
“Uh-huh,” Chas replied, narrowing her eyes. “Tell that to my bruised wrist from you using your entire body weight.”
“Okay, okay, but let’s not forget the best part,” Nichole interrupted, holding up a finger. “So there they were, in the middle of this super intense arm-wrestling match, practically shaking the table. Everyone’s watching, cheering, making bets—”
“Because I was obviously going to win,” Chas interjected, grinning smugly.
“You wish,” Cole retorted.
“Anyway,” Nichole continued, ignoring them, “what no one noticed was that Mr. Adam, our French teacher, walked in and was just standing there, watching them. Silent. Judging.”
The table erupted in laughter, and Charlyn nearly spit out her drink. “Oh my god, I forgot about that!”
“Right?” Nichole said, laughing. “He had his arms crossed, just glaring at them like, ‘What kind of delinquency is this?’”
“And none of us noticed!” Nara added, wiping a tear from her eye.
“Until I looked up and saw him,” Chas groaned, burying her face in her hands. “And I panicked so hard I accidentally let go, and Cole slammed my arm down.”
“Which means I won!” Cole said triumphantly.
“Only because I was distracted!” Chas shot back.
“Doesn’t matter,” Cole teased. “A win’s a win. And you did buy me that snack after school.”
“I had no choice!” Chas exclaimed. “Mr. Adam basically threatened to give me detention if I didn’t stop causing chaos in the lunchroom.”
Charlyn shook her head, still laughing. “I remember him saying something like, ‘Do you think this is a café or an arm-wrestling arena?’”
“And you both just sat there, looking like you’d been caught committing a crime,” Nara added, giggling.
Chas sighed dramatically. “Worst day ever. Cole got a snack, and I got publicly humiliated by Mr. Adam.”
“Best day ever for me,” Cole said, grinning. “Thanks for the free chocolate bar, by the way.”
“You’re welcome,” Chas said dryly. “I hope you choked on it.”
Their laughter filled the café as they reminisced about the hilarious moment, each of them feeling the warmth of old memories and the joy of reconnecting.
*Flashback moment: The Arm Wrestling Incident*
Lunch breaks often turned competitive, especially between Chas and Cole. One day, they decided to settle a debate over who was stronger with an arm-wrestling match. The stakes? The loser would buy the winner a treat from the vending machine.
Their table was surrounded by curious classmates, cheering them on. Chas gritted her teeth, determined to win, while Cole smirked, pretending to struggle.
Just as it seemed like Chas was about to win, their French teacher, Mr. Adam, walked by. Instead of interrupting, he stood quietly behind them, observing with amusement. When Chas finally slammed Cole’s hand down in victory, she looked up—and froze.
“Enjoying yourselves?” Mr. Adam asked dryly, his arms crossed.
“Totally worth it,” Chas muttered as the class erupted into laughter.
...* Flashback moment end*...
Chas took a bite of her cake, laughing as she leaned back in her chair. “Oh my gosh, Cole, do you remember how you used to ruin my quiet reading moments? You’d grab my book, hold it over your head, and act like you were doing me a favor by ‘saving me from boredom.’”
Cole grinned, sipping his coffee. “Of course, I remember. You were such a nerd back then, Chas. Always with your head buried in a book. I had to bring you back to reality somehow.”
Chas rolled her eyes, her curls bouncing. “Reality? You mean chaos! You’d grab my book or—worse—pull my hair, and I’d have to chase you through the corridors like a madwoman.”
Nara leaned in, laughing. “I remember walking into school and seeing you two running past the lockers. Everyone was either shocked or just used to it at that point.”
Chas smirked. “Oh, but it didn’t stop there. Remember that one time we were chasing each other, and we startled an entire group of juniors in the hall outside the science lab?”
Cole’s grin widened. “How could I forget? They looked at us like we were some kind of comedy act.”
Nichole chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. “You two basically were. But wait—what about the time Miss Green caught you mid-chase?”
“Oh no,” Chas groaned, laughing harder. “She literally grabbed both of us by the collars and dragged us straight to the counseling room. I was so sure she was going to call my parents!”
Cole laughed loudly, shaking his head. “And then there was Miss Harrison, sitting there all serious, asking us what on earth we were doing.”
“And what did we do?” Chas asked, leaning forward with a mischievous smile.
“We just started blaming each other!” Cole said, nearly doubling over with laughter.
Chas clapped her hands. “Exactly! I was like, ‘It’s all Cole’s fault—he keeps grabbing my stuff and pulling my hair!’ And you, without missing a beat, pointed at me and said, ‘She’s lying! She started it by calling me short!’”
The whole table erupted in laughter. Charlyn wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh my god, I would’ve paid to see Miss Harrison’s face!”
“She just sat there, pinching the bridge of her nose like she couldn’t believe these were her students,” Chas said, shaking her head.
“And then she let us off with a warning because, apparently, we were too ridiculous to take seriously,” Cole added with a smug grin.
Chas groaned, covering her face. “I swear, you were the bane of my existence, Cole. But looking back, I guess it was kind of fun… in a totally infuriating way.”
“Admit it, Chas,” Cole teased. “You missed me after high school.”
“Miss you?” Chas shot back, raising an eyebrow. “Let’s just say life got a lot quieter without you constantly pulling my hair.”
Chas let out a deep sigh, trying to suppress a smile. “And then there were those popular boys,” she began, shaking her head. “Whenever they heard me scream, they’d start mimicking it like some weird chant. They’d even call me ‘Screaming Queen.’”
Nichole snorted into her coffee. “Oh, my God, I totally remember that! It was like they loved getting under your skin.”
“Yeah,” Chas continued, rolling her eyes. “They’d walk by and do their little mock scream and start laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.”
Cole grinned, recalling the memory. “Hey, to be fair, it was kind of funny. Especially when you’d get so mad and chase me down the hall yelling your iconic scream. It was like a whole production.”
Charlyn chuckled. “They’d literally start walking behind her, calling her ‘Screaming Queen,’ and you could see Chas’ face turn bright red from annoyance.”
Chas frowned, but it was clear she was trying not to laugh at the memory. “It wasn’t funny, guys. It was so embarrassing. And then they’d all just laugh like they had won some kind of battle.”
Nara added, “You know, I think they secretly admired you, Chas. Like, they wanted to see if they could get under your skin, but they were lowkey impressed by your reactions.”
Chas crossed her arms with a teasing grin. “Impressed by my scream or my ability to chase Cole halfway across the school?”
“Both,” Cole chimed in. “I think they were just impressed by how persistent you were. You never gave up, no matter how many times I’d steal your books or yank on your hair.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Chas groaned, trying not to laugh. “You were the worst.”
Charlyn leaned back, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yeah, well, you were both legends in your own way. The ‘Screaming Queen’ and the ‘Book Stealer.’”
Chas shook her head, but deep down, she appreciated the memories and the way her friends could always bring a smile to her face with their stories. Even though the teasing had driven her crazy at the time, now it was just another part of the history they shared. “I guess you could say we were the ‘dynamic duo,’ huh?”
Nara grinned. “More like ‘chaos and chaos,’ if you ask me.”
Everyone laughed again, basking in the warmth of their shared memories and the laughter that had come to define their friendship.
As the reminiscing conversation flowed, Chas couldn’t help but bring up the aftermath of their chaotic chase. She leaned back in her chair, sipping her coffee with a playful smirk aimed at Cole.
“Remember when Miss Green dragged us to the counseling room after that whole chase?” she started, raising an eyebrow at him.
Cole chuckled, shaking his head. “How could I forget? You were freaking out the whole time, muttering about how we were going to get a warning letter.”
“I was not freaking out!” Chas protested, though her cheeks flushed slightly at the memory. “I was just… concerned! A warning letter could’ve gotten me banned from the next school event.”
Cole grinned, leaning forward on the table. “Concerned? Chas, you were practically whispering prayers under your breath. You even elbowed me when I was laughing in front of Miss Harrison.”
“Well, excuse me for trying to salvage my spotless record,” Chas retorted, rolling her eyes. “Unlike you, I actually cared about not getting into trouble. You were just sitting there with that stupid grin, acting like it was no big deal!”
“It wasn’t a big deal,” Cole said, shrugging. “We didn’t even get a warning letter. Miss Harrison just gave us a lecture about respecting school property and not disrupting other students.”
Charlyn, who had been listening with an amused expression, chimed in. “Wait, no warning letter at all? You two got off easy!”
“Right?” Nichole agreed, laughing. “Miss Green was notorious for getting kids written up. How did you manage to dodge that bullet?”
Cole shrugged again, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Guess she couldn’t resist our charm.”
Chas groaned, burying her face in her hands. “It wasn’t charm; it was luck. If Miss Harrison hadn’t been in such a good mood that day, we’d both have been toast.”
“And you would’ve been crying over missing the next school event,” Cole teased.
“Oh, shut up!” Chas shot back, though she couldn’t suppress the laugh that bubbled up.
The table burst into laughter as the group imagined a younger Chas and Cole sitting side by side in the counseling room, bickering even as the teacher tried to lecture them.
“You two really were a menace,” Nara said, shaking her head. “Honestly, it’s a miracle you didn’t end up with detention every other week.”
“Well, what can I say?” Cole said, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. “We were iconic.”
Chas rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless, the fond memories making her heart feel warm. “Iconic? Sure, let’s go with that.”
...* Flashback moment: The Chaotic Chase*...
The school corridors were unusually quiet during the lunch break, most students gathered outside in the courtyard or at the cafeteria. The quiet, however, was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps and a shriek of frustration echoing through the hallways.
“Cole! Give it back!” Chas yelled, her voice ringing loud enough to startle a few birds perched on the classroom windows outside.
Cole, grinning ear to ear, held Chas’s beloved novel high above his head, just out of her reach. “What’s the magic word, Screaming Queen?” he teased, taking a step backward as she lunged at him.
“Ugh, you’re impossible!” Chas shouted, her curly hair bouncing as she chased after him.
Cole darted down the corridor, still laughing, while Chas followed in hot pursuit. She was fast, determined to get her book back, and didn’t care about the spectacle they were causing.
As they rounded a corner, they passed the group of popular boys who always hung out there, leaning against the walls like they owned the place. The boys were deep in conversation, their usual smug air of confidence evident, until Chas’s furious scream pierced the air.
“Cole, you are DEAD!”
The boys’ heads snapped up, startled by the sight of Chas sprinting down the hallway, her arms outstretched like she was ready to tackle Cole. Behind her, Cole’s laughter echoed as he weaved between lockers and desks, clearly enjoying himself.
One of the boys, a tall blonde, blinked in surprise. “What the—?”
Another, a shorter boy with a buzz cut, stifled a laugh. “Is she chasing him? Man, I thought she was gonna murder someone with that scream.”
The rest of the group burst into laughter as Chas bolted past them, her face a mix of determination and exasperation. Cole glanced over his shoulder and smirked. “Gotta be faster than that, Chas!”
“I will end you!” she yelled, her iconic scream making the popular boys laugh even harder.
“Yo, Chas! Screaming Queen strikes again!” one of them called after her, their voices laced with amusement.
By now, a few other students had poked their heads out of classrooms, curious about the commotion. Cole made a quick turn, but Chas was relentless, gaining on him as they passed the biology lab.
Finally, Miss Green, the stern biology teacher, stepped out of the lab, her arms crossed. “What on earth is going on here?” she demanded.
Both Chas and Cole skidded to a halt, nearly crashing into each other. Cole still had the book in his hand, and Chas was mid-lunge when she froze, realizing they’d been caught.
“He started it!” Chas blurted out, pointing at Cole.
“I was just borrowing her book,” Cole said innocently, holding it up as if to prove his point.
Miss Green raised an eyebrow. “Borrowing? Is that what we’re calling theft these days?”
Before either of them could respond, Miss Green shook her head and gestured toward the counseling room down the hall. “Both of you—counseling. Now.”
Chas groaned, and Cole chuckled under his breath. As they trudged to the counseling room, she muttered, “This is all your fault.”
“You were the one screaming,” Cole teased.
“Because you’re insufferable!”
When they arrived, Miss Harrison, the counselor, looked up from her desk, startled by their arrival. “What happened this time?”
Chas and Cole exchanged a glance before simultaneously pointing at each other.
“She started it!” Cole said.
“No, he started it!” Chas retorted.
Miss Harrison sighed, leaning back in her chair. “You two are like children.”
Chas crossed her arms, glaring at Cole. “Maybe, but he’s a menace.”
“And she’s the Screaming Queen,” Cole shot back, grinning.
Despite her annoyance, Chas couldn’t help but let a small smile slip. Their playful rivalry was exhausting, but it was moments like these that made their friendship unforgettable.
...*Flashback moment end*...
Chas laughed as she recalled another one of their memorable high school moments. “Oh, speaking of embarrassing moments, do you guys remember the time we faked being sick to skip PE?”
Nichole grinned. “How could I forget? You were the ringleader, Chas.”
Chas chuckled. “Well, you two were in on it, too!” She took a sip of her drink before continuing. “So, the class was empty, and we were supposed to be doing PE, right? But we decided to just stay in the classroom and pretend to be sick. Classic move, right?”
Charlyn raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “And what did you guys do with that free time?”
Chas leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I turned into a pop star.”
Nichole snorted. “Oh, God. Don’t tell me you sang again.”
Chas nodded dramatically. “I did. I was pretending to be Lana Del Rey, of course. And Charlyn—” she pointed at her friend with a grin “—was my backup dancer.”
“Wait, what?” Nara laughed, unable to contain herself. “You two were dancing? In a classroom?”
Charlyn nodded, her face going slightly pink with the memory. “Yep, I was in the middle of doing some ridiculous backup dance moves when I grabbed this huge jacket from Dylan, one of the other students. It was hanging on his chair, and I just threw it on like it was part of the performance.”
“Yeah, that was great,” Chas added sarcastically. “Except… none of us knew that the whole class would come back early from PE.” Her voice dropped to a mock dramatic tone. “And then, as we were in the middle of our impromptu concert, the door slammed open.”
Nara burst into laughter. “Oh my God, you didn’t!”
“We did!” Chas exclaimed. “I was mid-chorus and Charlyn was twirling with Dylan’s jacket like she was on a real stage. And then, BAM, the whole class filed in and just froze. It was like we were performing for a live audience, but way more embarrassing.”
Nichole added, “And the worst part? Everyone just stared at us, blinking, like, ‘What are you two doing?’”
“We tried to play it cool, but the silence was deafening,” Chas continued, laughing. “I think Miss Eva the PE teacher, just shook her head and muttered, ‘The things you get up to when I’m not around.’”
Charlyn groaned, clearly still embarrassed. “Yeah, and Dylan… his jacket was still draped over me, so I just… froze. He was looking at me like I was a total weirdo. Honestly, I don’t know what was worse: the fact that we got caught or that I was wearing his jacket like I was some kind of fashion model.”
Everyone at the table laughed hysterically, Chas included. “It was so bad, but looking back, it’s one of my favorite memories. We had no shame back then.”
“I can’t believe you two thought that was a good idea,” Cole teased. “But, hey, at least you were committed to it.”
Chas smirked. “That’s what we do best—full-on commitment, even when it’s ridiculous.” She winked at her friends, grateful for the laughter that flowed so naturally between them, as if no time had passed since their high school days.
...*Flashback moment:Sneaking Off During PE Class*...
While most students were on the field, Chas, Nichole, and Charlyn had decided to fake being sick to stay in the classroom.
With the class empty, Chas took the chance to act out her popstar dreams. She grabbed a ruler as a makeshift microphone and began belting out Lana Del Rey’s Summertime Sadness. Charlyn joined in as her “backup dancer,” dramatically swaying her hips while wearing Dylan’s oversized jacket that had been left on his chair.
“You’re terrible at this,” Nichole teased, laughing as she filmed them on her old android phone.
Their fun came to an abrupt halt when the PE class returned early. Dylan, spotting Charlyn in his jacket, raised an eyebrow. “Uh, is that mine?”
Charlyn turned beet red, yanking the jacket off. “We were… uh… rehearsing for a talent show!”
The entire class burst into laughter, and the girls couldn’t live it down for weeks
...*Flashback moment end*...
As the conversation continued to flow, Nara brought up a memory that made her groan and roll her eyes dramatically. “Do you guys remember those popular boys who always hung out in the corner of the corridor? Ugh, they were the worst.”
Chas tilted her head, curious. “You mean the ones who used to call me Screaming Queen?”
Nara nodded. “Yeah, them. But for me, it wasn’t the screaming. They were always teasing me about… you know,” she said, gesturing at her chest and curvier figure. “Calling me stuff like ‘Miss Hourglass’ or asking if I snuck extra food into my lunchbox for my thighs. It still gives me the ick when I think about it.”
Nichole groaned sympathetically. “Same! Remember how they used to say I should be the ‘team mascot’ because, and I quote, ‘Nichole’s carrying for the whole team,’” she mimicked with a sarcastic tone. “It was so embarrassing. I wanted to disappear every time they started with their comments.”
Chas shook her head, feeling a mixture of annoyance and amusement. “Oh, don’t even get me started. Those idiots used to make fun of my legs all the time, saying I could probably win a wrestling match with just one kick.” She glanced at Nara and Nichole, her expression softening. “They were always targeting us because we weren’t those stick-thin types they idolized.”
Nara crossed her arms, sighing. “Exactly. They acted like having curves was some kind of crime.”
“And they thought they were so funny,” Nichole added with a scoff. “But it was just gross.”
Chas grinned mischievously, though. “Okay, but do you guys remember the one time we decided to clap back at them? The day we all walked past them eating ice cream cones, and Nara gave them that epic death glare while licking her cone like she didn’t have a care in the world?”
Nara burst out laughing, covering her mouth. “Oh my God, yes! And you—Chas—you deliberately took the biggest bite of your ice cream and said, ‘Yeah, it’s called enjoying life. You should try it sometime.’”
Nichole leaned back, laughing as well. “And then I chimed in, ‘Don’t worry, boys, the curves aren’t contagious.’ Their faces were priceless!”
The table dissolved into laughter, the memory still bringing them a sense of pride.
“But seriously,” Nara said as she caught her breath, “those comments stuck with me for a while. I think it’s why I didn’t fully embrace my body until way later.”
Chas reached over to squeeze her hand. “Same here. But look at us now. We’re rocking what we’ve got, and those losers probably peaked in high school.”
Nichole nodded in agreement. “Amen to that. And honestly? We’re better than all of them combined.”
“True,” Nara said, smiling. “Still, those memories give me the ick to this day.”
“Well, next time they cross your mind, just remember: we’ve moved on, and we’re fabulous. They can keep their corner of the corridor,” Chas said with a wink.
As the laughter began to settle, Charlyn, who had been quietly sipping her latte, spoke up with a soft smile. “You know, listening to you guys talk about those boys teasing you for having curves… it’s funny, but I always felt the opposite.”
The others turned to her, surprised. “What do you mean?” Chas asked gently.
Charlyn shrugged, tucking a strand of her wavy brunette hair behind her ear. “I’ve always been on the skinny side, and sometimes, it made me insecure. Like, when I saw you guys rocking your curves, I’d wish I had a little more, you know? It’s not like anyone teased me about it, but there were times I felt like I wasn’t… enough.” She gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. “I even tried eating more for a while, thinking it might help. Spoiler alert—it didn’t.”
Nichole frowned, reaching out to touch Charlyn’s hand. “Char, I had no idea you felt like that. You always seemed so confident back in high school.”
Charlyn smiled, her eyes softening. “That’s because I had you guys. You always made me feel like I belonged, no matter what. But yeah, I guess it just goes to show that no one’s immune to insecurities.”
Nara nodded thoughtfully. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? How we all wanted what we didn’t have. I used to wish I could trade places with you sometimes, Char. I thought having a slimmer figure would make life easier.”
“And I thought having curves would make me look more grown-up or attractive,” Charlyn admitted.
Chas leaned back in her chair, looking at her friends with a soft smile. “Isn’t it wild? We were all so busy comparing ourselves to each other, and none of us realized how amazing we already were.”
Charlyn’s smile grew, and she tilted her head. “You’re right. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade our friendship for anything. You three were my real confidence boost back then—and even now.”
Nichole raised her cup in the air. “To us. For surviving high school, stupid boys, and all our insecurities!”
Chas and Nara grabbed their cups, holding them up too. “To us!”
As the conversation flowed, Cole, who had been quietly listening and sipping his coffee, finally spoke up, his voice calm but firm. “You know, I’ve gotta say this,” he began, setting his cup down and leaning forward. “Hearing you all talk about what you went through back then—it just makes me so mad. Those boys were absolute idiots.”
The girls turned to him, surprised by the intensity in his tone.
“Seriously,” Cole continued, his expression softening as he looked at each of them in turn. “Nara, they teased you because they were too immature to handle how amazing you looked. Nichole, they couldn’t deal with your confidence, so they tried to tear it down. Chas, they were probably just jealous because you were cooler than all of them combined. And Charlyn,” he added, turning to her, “you’ve always been beautiful exactly as you are. You didn’t need to change a thing.”
The table fell quiet for a moment, his words sinking in.
Nara blinked, a little taken aback. “Wow, Cole. I didn’t know you were such a motivational speaker.”
He chuckled, shrugging. “I just call it like I see it. You guys are incredible—always have been. High school boys can be the worst, but if any of those idiots could see you now, they’d realize they were punching way out of their league.”
Nichole laughed, shaking her head. “Cole, you always know how to make a girl feel better.”
Charlyn smiled warmly. “Seriously, thanks, Cole. It means a lot to hear that.”
Chas grinned, nudging him playfully. “Who knew you had such a way with words? Maybe you should write a self-help book or something.”
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Hey, I’m just here to hype you all up. You deserve it.”
Nichole raised her cup again. “Alright, new toast: to Cole, for always being the honorary member of our girl squad.”
Nara laughed, lifting her mug as well. “To Cole. For being the only guy who gets it.”
The girls clinked their mugs with his, and Cole gave them a mock bow of appreciation. “It’s an honor, ladies. Truly.”
As the laughter resumed, the warmth of their friendship felt even stronger, bolstered by Cole’s kind words and their shared memories. It was a reminder of how far they had all come—and how much they had each other’s backs, no matter what.
The topic of their conversation naturally drifted toward their most ridiculous high school moments. Nichole, sipping her caramel latte, leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
“Okay, Chas,” she said, setting her mug down. “Do you remember that epic K-drama moment in PE class?”
Chas froze mid-sip of her iced coffee, her eyes narrowing at Nichole. “Don’t you dare.”
“Oh, she’s daring,” Nara chimed in, her face already lighting up with laughter. “Because how can we not talk about it?”
Charlyn clasped her hands together, her smile turning devious. “It was like watching a live episode of Boys Over Flowers.”
“Oh my God,” Chas groaned, sinking deeper into her chair as she realized there was no escaping this.
“You were literally the main character, Chas!” Nichole declared dramatically, throwing her hands in the air. “Gabriel sprinting across the court like the romantic lead, Ryan and Elliot competing to play the doting boyfriend, the random basketball guys offering ice—”
“And wanting to carry you off like you were Cinderella,” Nara interjected, clutching her sides as she burst into laughter.
Chas’s cheeks turned crimson as she waved them off. “Okay, first of all, I was fine. I didn’t need anyone to carry me anywhere!”
“But you can’t deny it,” Charlyn said, her voice teasing. “The way Gabriel practically elbowed Elliot out of the way? And Ryan’s water bottle delivery? It was iconic.”
“I was the one who told you it looked like a K-drama, wasn’t I?” Nara asked, wiping a tear from her eye.
“Yes, and I distinctly remember hating you for it,” Chas replied, glaring at her before breaking into a reluctant smile. “I still can’t believe that happened.”
“Cole stepping in to shoo them all away was the cherry on top,” Nichole said, laughing. “It was like, ‘Alright, fan club, back it up!’”
“That part was funny,” Charlyn admitted. “Especially when he said you were indestructible.”
Chas groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “I still cringe thinking about it. Gabriel looked at me like I was made of glass, and all I did was trip!”
“That was no trip,” Nara teased. “You wiped out, girl. It was impressive.”
“Yeah, it’s not every day someone turns a volleyball fall into a scene from Descendants of the Sun,” Nichole added, sending the group into another fit of laughter.
Chas couldn’t help but laugh along now, the memory becoming less embarrassing and more hilarious as they reminisced. “Fine, fine! Laugh it up. But for the record, you guys made it worse by acting like paparazzi afterward.”
“Hey, we were just appreciating the show!” Nara said defensively, grinning. “Besides, it gave us one of our favorite high school memories. Totally worth it.”
Charlyn nodded, raising her tea in a mock toast. “To Chas, our K-drama queen.”
“Ugh, stop!” Chas said, though she was smiling as she covered her face.
Nichole, however, couldn’t resist one last jab. “You know, Chas, if they ever make a movie about our lives, that scene has to make it in. We owe it to the audience.”
Chas rolled her eyes, her grin widening. “You’re all the worst.”
But as the laughter echoed through the café, Chas realized she wouldn’t trade these ridiculous memories—or her friends—for anything.
...*Flashback Moment: A K-Drama Moment in PE Class*...
The gym fell silent as Chas lay sprawled on the floor after her less-than-graceful volleyball mishap. Her cheeks were already burning from embarrassment, but before she could get up, the situation took a turn for the dramatic.
Not only did Gabriel sprint over from the basketball court, but two of Chas’s classmates—Elliot and Ryan, who were rumored to have secret crushes on her—also hurried to her side. From Gabriel’s group of friends, a couple of boys followed suit, looking equally concerned.
“Chas, are you okay?” Gabriel asked, crouching beside her, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of pain.
“Here, take my hand,” Elliot offered, kneeling on her other side, while Ryan leaned in with a bottle of water. “You need to hydrate, maybe.”
“Guys, I’m fine!” Chas stammered, glancing around at the sudden crowd gathering around her. She tried to stand, but Gabriel’s hand was already on her arm, steadying her, while Ryan hovered as if ready to catch her if she stumbled.
From across the court, Cole and the girls stood frozen, wide-eyed. Nara was the first to break the silence.
“Is this a PE class or a K-drama?” she muttered, crossing her arms.
“Oh my God, it’s like she’s the main character!” Nichole whispered, barely containing her laughter.
“Right?” Charlyn added, feigning a dramatic gasp. “The male leads are fighting for her attention!”
Meanwhile, the boys around Chas continued their concerned inquiries.
“Did you twist your ankle?” Ryan asked.
“I can get you ice!” one of Gabriel’s basketball teammates offered, already jogging toward the gym’s medical kit.
“Do you need to sit down? We can carry you,” Elliot suggested, earning a subtle glare from Gabriel, who clearly felt that was his role.
“I just fell, not broke my leg!” Chas exclaimed, now absolutely mortified.
“Are you sure?” Gabriel pressed, completely ignoring the teasing remarks of his friends, who were now pointing and laughing from the basketball court.
Cole finally decided to intervene, marching over with his signature smirk. “Okay, okay, everyone back it up,” he announced, waving his arms as if he were her bodyguard. “She’s not an idol signing autographs. Let the poor girl breathe!”
Chas shot him a grateful look, but Cole couldn’t resist adding, “Besides, I’ve seen her take worse falls. She’s basically indestructible.”
This, of course, only reignited the laughter.
As the crowd reluctantly dispersed, Gabriel gave Chas one last worried glance before returning to his game. Elliot and Ryan lingered for a moment longer before retreating as well, both casting quick looks over their shoulders as they went.
Charlyn clapped her hands together, grinning from ear to ear. “That was the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all week.”
“Same,” Nara agreed. “Chas, if you ever star in a K-drama, I’m gonna say I called it first.”
Chas groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “I hate you all.”
But despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at her lips. The whole scene might have been over the top, but at least it showed how much everyone cared about her—even if they were way too obvious about it.
...*Flashback Moment end*...
Chas, her cheeks flushed, glared at Nara, who had just brought up the memory of Gabriel.
“Oh no,” Chas groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “Not this again.”
“Yes, this again,” Nara said gleefully, leaning back in her chair with a triumphant smirk. “I mean, you did sneak out to meet him during free period. What did you think would happen?”
Nichole was practically doubled over with laughter. “And Gabriel! He was so awkward and shy, but so into you. He couldn’t stop staring at you like you were the lead in a cheesy rom-com.”
“And don’t forget Cole’s dramatic recon mission!” Charlyn chimed in, shooting a pointed look at him.
Cole, who was stirring his tea with mock sophistication, shrugged nonchalantly. “Recon is a crucial skill, ladies. You should thank me for exposing the high school scandal of the year.”
Chas rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t a scandal! We were just talking!”
“Talking?” Nara echoed, raising an eyebrow. “Talking while blushing and giggling? Sure, Chas, we totally believe you.”
“Gabriel looked like he wanted to marry you on the spot,” Nichole teased, grinning.
Cole jumped in with his usual mischievous grin. “And let’s not forget the moment I saved us from getting caught. My throw was perfect—hit the wall just right to spook you two lovebirds.”
“You almost got caught!” Charlyn corrected, pointing her finger at him. “We were one second away from detention because you couldn’t stop laughing!”
Chas groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. “I hate all of you so much right now.”
“Not as much as Gabriel hated us for ruining his moment,” Nara said, snickering.
“Do you remember the look on his face?” Nichole added, clutching her sides. “He couldn’t run away fast enough.”
Chas finally lifted her head, glaring at her friends with mock indignation. “You’re all just jealous that someone liked me enough to sneak out of class for me.”
“Jealous?” Cole said, leaning forward. “Of Gabriel? The junior who carried his books like he was bracing for a hurricane? Yeah, totally jealous.”
“I’m just saying,” Chas replied, smirking now despite herself, “Gabriel had more courage than most of you ever did in high school.”
The group collectively gasped, dramatically clutching their chests.
“Oh, she did not!” Nichole exclaimed, eyes wide with mock offense.
“She’s attacking us now!” Nara laughed.
Cole crossed his arms, grinning. “Careful, Chas. Keep this up, and I’ll find Gabriel on social media. I bet he’d love a trip down memory lane.”
Chas’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Don’t you dare, Cole!”
The table erupted into laughter, and even Chas couldn’t help but join in, shaking her head. “You guys are the worst.”
“And yet, here we are,” Charlyn teased, raising her cup in a toast. “To Gabriel—Chas’s first-ever secret boyfriend!”
“Ugh, stop!” Chas said, covering her face, but her laughter spilled over, joining the joyful noise of her friends.
*Flashback Moment: The Bathroom Break Espionage*
It was a lazy Wednesday afternoon during their free period. The classroom was bustling with quiet chatter, but something was off—Chas had been gone for far too long after saying she needed to use the bathroom.
Nara, ever the sharp one, narrowed her eyes as she leaned closer to Cole, Nichole, and Charlyn. “Where’s Chas? She’s been gone for ages.”
Cole smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Maybe she fell into the toilet.”
Charlyn rolled her eyes, but Nichole was already piecing it together. “Wait… didn’t Gabriel pass by our class earlier?” she asked, referring to the sweet-faced junior from grade 11 who everyone knew had a thing with Chas.
Nara gasped, slapping Cole on the arm. “No way! You think she’s meeting him?”
“Only one way to find out,” Cole said, standing up with dramatic determination.
“What are you doing?” Charlyn whispered harshly.
“Recon mission,” Cole declared. “Let’s go, ladies.”
The four of them sneaked out of the classroom, staying low to avoid the teacher’s gaze. As they tiptoed down the corridor, muffling their laughter, Nara took the lead. She peeked around a corner near the staircase and waved them over.
“Shh, shh! There they are!” Nara whispered excitedly, pointing toward the end of the hall.
Sure enough, there was Chas, standing by the window with Gabriel. She was leaning against the wall, her curly hair cascading over her shoulder as she giggled at something Gabriel said. He was nervously fidgeting with the strap of his bag but couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Nichole stifled a gasp. “She’s flirting!”
“Look at her blushing!” Nara added, barely containing her laughter.
Cole grinned like the troublemaker he was. “Watch this,” he said, grabbing a piece of crumpled paper from his pocket. He tossed it expertly toward Chas and Gabriel.
The paper missed them but hit the wall with a loud thud. Both Chas and Gabriel jumped, turning toward the noise.
“Who’s there?” Chas demanded, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance.
The group barely managed to duck behind the corner before being spotted. Charlyn, suppressing a laugh, whispered, “We’re gonna get caught!”
“Not if we’re quick,” Cole said, gesturing for them to move back toward the classroom.
But their whispers and stifled giggles gave them away. Chas stepped out from her hiding spot, her hands on her hips, her face flushed red—not from embarrassment, but from pure irritation.
“Cole! Nara! Nichole! Charlyn? What are you all doing here?”
Cole feigned innocence, pointing toward the bathroom. “Uh… field trip?”
Gabriel, looking mortified, muttered a quick, “I’ll see you later,” before dashing off toward his class.
Chas glared at her friends, her face now beet red. “You guys are the worst!”
“You’re the worst!” Nara shot back, crossing her arms. “You didn’t even tell us you were sneaking off to see your boyfriend!”
“Yeah,” Cole teased, leaning against the wall with a smirk. “Grade 11, huh? Don’t you think you’re robbing the cradle, Screaming Queen?”
That earned him a light smack on the shoulder from Chas. “I hate all of you,” she said, but her laughter gave her away.
The five of them returned to class, still laughing and teasing Chas, who couldn’t escape their relentless banter for the rest of the day.
...*Flashback Moment end*...
As the laughter faded, Nichole leaned back in her chair, swirling the remnants of her latte. “Alright, enough about high school drama. Let’s talk about now. How’s everyone’s love life?”
The group exchanged glances, a mix of smirks and raised eyebrows.
Nichole sighed dramatically. “I’ll go first: I’m still single. Haven’t found the one, but you know, no rush or anything.” She tried to sound casual, but a hint of frustration crept into her voice.
Charlyn nodded in solidarity. “Same here, honestly. I’ve been so busy with work and everything that I haven’t even thought about dating seriously.”
Chas, who had been quietly sipping her drink, chuckled. “Well, I’m not single, but I did just get out of a relationship with Martin the guy on my college that i used to be in a relationship with, and let me tell you—it was a disaster.”
The group leaned in as Chas recounted her breakup story, a mix of exasperation and humor in her tone. “He was just… ugh, you know? Great at first, then suddenly it’s like he stopped trying. I got tired of feeling like I was the only one putting in effort.”
Cole, who had been snacking on a muffin, raised an eyebrow. “So, no more Martin. Good. You deserve better, Chas.”
“Thank you,” Chas said with a smile. “So, what about you, Cole? Still the class clown of romance?”
Cole smirked. “Actually, I have a girlfriend now. Her name’s Tanya, and she’s amazing. Funny, smart, and doesn’t put up with my nonsense, which, as you all know, is a tall order.”
Everyone laughed, with Charlyn shaking her head. “Wow, Cole, you’ve grown up. Who would’ve thought?”
But then Nara cleared her throat, drawing their attention. She had been uncharacteristically quiet. “Okay, so… I have something to share, too.”
The group leaned in, sensing the seriousness in her tone.
Nara took a deep breath, a nervous smile playing on her lips. “I have a girlfriend now. Her name’s Leah, and she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
The table went silent for a moment, stunned by the revelation. Then Chas, eyes wide, was the first to react. “Wait—what? A girlfriend? Nara, you’re—”
“Gay,” Nara finished, nodding. “Well, technically, bi. But yeah, I’m with Leah, and she makes me so happy.”
Charlyn was the next to speak, her face lighting up. “Oh my gosh, Nara, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!”
Nichole clapped her hands together. “Leah sounds incredible. And honestly, Nara, I’m so proud of you for being true to yourself.”
Cole, who looked momentarily shocked, broke into a grin. “Wow, Nara. Never saw that coming, but honestly? Respect. I bet Leah’s awesome if she’s with you.”
Nara smiled, visibly relieved by their reactions. “She is. And it’s been a journey, you know? Coming out wasn’t easy, but I’ve never felt more like myself. And seeing how supportive you all are just makes it even better.”
Chas reached across the table, taking Nara’s hand. “You’ve always been amazing, Nara. I’m so happy you’ve found someone who sees that too.”
The group shared a warm moment of smiles and support before Cole broke the tension. “Alright, but now we have to meet Leah. Bring her next time, Nara!”
Nara laughed. “Deal. But don’t scare her off, okay?”
“No promises,” Chas teased, earning another round of laughter.
As the laughter subsided, Cole leaned back in his chair and looked around at his old friends with a warm smile. “Man, it’s crazy seeing you all again. You look the same, but also so different. So, what’s everyone up to now? Like, what’s your major? I wanna hear all about it.”
Chas perked up first, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m at UCL, majoring in psychology. It’s intense, but I love it. I’m actually gearing up for my final exams soon, so wish me luck.”
Cole gave her an impressed nod. “Psychology, huh? That suits you. Always figuring people out, even back in school.”
Chas laughed. “Guess I’ve been practicing since high school.”
Nichole chimed in next, sitting up straighter. “I’m at LMU, studying law. It’s been a grind, but I’m almost done with my degree.”
Cole whistled. “A lawyer in the making! That’s awesome, Nichole. I bet you’ll crush it in court.”
She smiled, a little bashfully. “Thanks, Cole. It’s been a lot of late nights and coffee, but I’m excited about the future.”
Charlyn leaned forward, a playful grin on her face. “Well, I’m at Birkbeck, majoring in fashion. I’m working on my portfolio right now, and honestly? It’s been such a ride. Who knew I’d be sewing at 3 a.m. every other night?”
“Fashion, huh?” Cole said, raising an eyebrow. “You always were the stylish one. Makes sense.”
Charlyn winked. “Of course. Gotta stay on brand.”
Then it was Nara’s turn. She leaned back with an easy smile. “I’m at Goldsmiths, majoring in visual communication design. It’s been a dream come true, honestly. I get to play with ideas, colors, and typography all day—it’s like I’m a kid in an art class again.”
Cole nodded, clearly impressed. “Goldsmiths is no joke. That’s amazing, Nara. You’re gonna be designing the next big thing, I can feel it.”
“What about you, Cole?” Chas asked, tilting her head. “What have you been up to since high school?”
He shrugged, a small smile on his face. “I didn’t go the academic route like you guys. I’ve been working in tech support for a startup in a graphic design division. It’s not glamorous, but it pays the bills, and I’ve got time to figure out what I really want to do.”
Charlyn leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Hey, that’s still cool. You’re working and figuring things out. That’s what matters.”
“Yeah,” Nichole agreed. “We’re all just doing our own thing. It’s not a race.”
Cole grinned, looking around at them. “Thanks, guys. It’s really good to catch up with you all. I missed this.”
“We missed you too,” Chas said warmly, and the others nodded in agreement, the warmth of their reconnection settling around them.
As the conversation and laughter filled the cafe, Chas finally took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair, her fingers playing with her empty coffee cup. “Alright, guys, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
Her friends immediately turned their attention to her, sensing the shift in her tone.
“What is it?” Nara asked, raising an intrigued eyebrow.
Chas hesitated for a moment, then said, “So, I’ve been living with Nick Sinclair—the rockstar.”
The table fell silent for a beat, then erupted into exclamations.
“Wait, the Nick Sinclair?!” Nichole gasped, her jaw practically dropping.
“Are you serious?!” Nara added, wide-eyed.
“Since when?!” Cole asked, leaning forward, clearly stunned.
Charlyn shook her head in disbelief. “Girl, you’ve been holding out on us. Spill. Everything.”
Chas laughed nervously at their reactions. “Okay, okay, calm down! It’s not as glamorous as you think.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “You guys already know I grew up in the orphan house and had to work part-time since high school, right?”
They nodded, their expressions softening with understanding.
“Well,” she continued, “a few months ago, there was this charity party at the orphan house. Nick was one of the donator whose already support the orphan house for a long time. We only talked for, like, two minutes, so I didn’t think much of it. But then, a few days later, I met him again at the cafe I was working at part-time. That time, we actually talked—like, really talked. When my shift ended, he even drove me home to my college dorm and walked me to my door.”
Nara leaned closer, smirking. “Wait, he walked you to your dorm room? That’s not a casual move, Chas.”
“Stop it,” Chas said, rolling her eyes, though her cheeks turned pink. “It wasn’t like that. He was just being nice.”
“Sure,” Cole teased, grinning.
Chas ignored him and continued, “Anyway, a few days later, he came back to the cafe. After we chatted some more, he offered me a chance to be his housemate at his big house. He said he had more space than he knew what to do with and thought it might help me out. At first, I refused—it sounded crazy, right? But after I talked to my foster mother about it, she told me it was okay to let people help me for once.”
Her voice softened as she added, “So, I took the leap. And now, here I am, living in Nick Sinclair’s house. It’s been… a lot, but he’s actually really easy to live with. Surprisingly down-to-earth.”
Her friends stared at her, stunned into silence for a moment, before Nara broke it. “Chas. You’re literally living with a rockstar. How is this not the first thing you told us?!”
“Yeah!” Nichole chimed in. “This is wild. Do you realize how insane that sounds?”
Chas shrugged, trying to downplay it. “It’s not that crazy. He’s just… Nick. Once you get past the whole ‘rockstar’ thing, he’s actually really normal.”
“Normal?” Cole said, raising an eyebrow. “The man’s a millionaire who probably has fans throwing themselves at him every day. That’s your version of normal?”
Charlyn leaned forward, smirking. “Be honest, Chas. Have you caught feelings?”
“Char!” Chas groaned, hiding her face in her hands as her friends burst out laughing. “It’s not like that!”
“Sure, sure,” Nara teased, elbowing her playfully. “But honestly, good for you. I’m glad someone’s looking out for you. You deserve it.”
Nichole nodded, her expression warm. “Yeah, Chas. We know how hard you’ve had to work. It’s nice that someone’s giving you a break for once.”
Chas smiled, grateful for their support. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate that.”
Cole crossed his arms, grinning. “But if this Nick guy ever breaks your heart or gives you a hard time, just say the word. We’ll all show up at his mansion ready to throw down.”
Everyone laughed, and Chas shook her head, feeling a warm sense of belonging with her friends. Cole couldn’t resist jumping in with his signature teasing. He leaned back in his chair with a sly grin.
“So,” he began, dragging out the word dramatically, “living with a rockstar, huh? What’s next, Chas? Private jets? Designer clothes? Maybe you’ll start going by Lady Chas?”
Chas groaned, rolling her eyes. “Oh, come on, Cole. Don’t start.”
“I mean, I get it,” he said, ignoring her protests and leaning closer with a smirk. “The man’s rich, famous, and probably writes love songs in his sleep. You sure you’re not secretly married to him already? Should we be calling you Mrs. Sinclair?”
The table burst into laughter, and Chas threw a balled-up napkin at him. “Cole, I swear, you’re impossible!”
“Hey, I’m just saying,” Cole continued, feigning innocence, “it’s a little suspicious, don’t you think? Driving you home? Walking you to your door? Offering you a room in his mansion? Sounds like somebody is smitten.”
“Yeah, you,” Chas shot back, crossing her arms with a teasing glare. “You sound way too invested in this, Cole. Should I be worried about your feelings for Nick?”
That earned a loud laugh from Nara and Charlyn, while Cole clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch! Low blow, Chas. Low blow.”
“Serves you right,” Chas quipped, though she was smiling despite herself.
Nichole leaned in, still giggling. “But seriously, Cole. Let her live. It’s not like Nick’s her boyfriend or anything.”
Cole smirked. “Not yet.”
“Ugh!” Chas groaned, burying her face in her hands as everyone laughed even harder.
“You’ll never change, Cole,” Charlyn said, shaking her head but smiling fondly.
“Nope,” Cole replied proudly, pointing at Chas. “And I’m not letting her off the hook either. This is too good.”
Chas sighed, though her laughter betrayed her frustration. “One of these days, Cole, I’m going to get back at you for all this teasing.”
“Bring it on,” he said with a grin. “You know you missed me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”
As soon as Cole’s teasing died down, Charlyn, Nara, and Nichole exchanged mischievous glances.
“You know,” Nara began, leaning her chin on her hand, “Cole might actually be onto something. Living with Nick Sinclair sounds like the start of a romance novel, doesn’t it?”
“Oh my God, please don’t,” Chas groaned, already bracing herself.
“Just picture it,” Nichole chimed in, putting on her most dramatic voice. “A young, hard-working student, struggling to make ends meet, crosses paths with a world-famous rockstar. He opens his doors—and his heart—to her. Sparks fly, secrets unravel, and soon, love blooms.”
Charlyn clapped her hands, joining in. “And then one day, she wakes up and realizes… she’s fallen for him!”
“Stop!” Chas protested, covering her face. “You’re all insane!”
“Am I, though?” Nara smirked. “I mean, he did drive you home and walk you to your door. That’s totally a move.”
“That’s not a move! That’s called being polite!” Chas countered, her face turning redder by the second.
Charlyn wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “Polite, sure. But offering you a room in his house? That’s more than polite, girl. That’s intentional.”
Nichole leaned closer, grinning. “Tell us the truth, Chas. Is he nice to you? Does he cook for you? Does he—”
“Stop!” Chas cut in, laughing despite herself. “He’s just a nice guy who felt bad for me. That’s it! There’s nothing going on!”
“Yet,” Nara said, echoing Cole’s earlier jab.
Chas grabbed a napkin and threw it at her. “I can’t believe all of you are ganging up on me right now!”
“But we love you,” Charlyn said sweetly, though her teasing smile gave her away. “And you’re practically living in a rom-com. You can’t blame us for being curious.”
Chas sighed dramatically but couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “You’re all impossible. No wonder I survived high school—you bullied me into it!”
The table erupted into laughter again, and Chas shook her head, realizing how much she’d missed moments like this.
As the cafe gathering wound down, the group decided to capture the moment. They huddled close, squeezing into the frame for a series of photos, each one filled with laughter and goofy expressions. Chas stood in the center, her arms wrapped around Nichole and Nara, while Cole and Charlyn leaned in from either side.
“Alright, everyone say, ‘High school chaos!’” Charlyn exclaimed, holding her phone up for a selfie.
“High school chaos!” they all chimed, laughing as the camera clicked.
After a round of hugs and promises to meet again soon, the group parted ways. Nichole, always the thoughtful one, offered Chas a ride back to Nick’s house.
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