She blinked once, twice, three times and again, but nothing changed.
No shift in the air. No sudden blur. No gentle lie to convince her it was all in her head.
Reality stayed sharp, unsoftened, unbearably clear. And somehow, that hurt more than anything else. For a heartbeat, she hesitated ~ was this truly happening or was she trapped in some cruel, vivid dream?
Her throat tightened, as if something bitter had lodged there and refused to leave. Breathing felt heavier than it should have. Words tangled somewhere between her chest and mouth, tight and trembling, like a storm had carved out a hollow inside her.
The sky above, once clear, seemed darker now. Not with clouds ~ those still hovered far off but with something heavier, something unseen, wrapping itself around her like a fog she couldn't shake off.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't sudden.
It was simply breaking... slow, silent, and absolute.
The world she had known began to fracture. Not with a crash, but with soft, spreading cracks, too fine to notice at first. Yet once they appeared, they only deepened, widening until nothing remained whole.
Time moved on, but sluggishly, dragging her through each second as if demanding she feel every moment in full.
"I should've known better... I should've never let myself hope..." The thought echoed through her mind, soft yet relentless, looping like a song she couldn't turn off.
She had known better. Hope had never been kind. Still, she had clung to it because some stubborn part of her had wanted to believe.
A breeze stirred, threading through her dark, wavy hair. Autumn at its gentlest, but the cold she felt had little to do with the weather.
She stood motionless, her gaze fixed ahead. Her soft eyes appeared calm, almost blank ~ a perfect mask. Inside, everything had already fallen apart.
And in front of her... they smiled.
Standing close, shoulder to shoulder, as if space had never existed between them.
He wore his usual denim jacket, one hand wrapped instinctively around hers, as though it had always belonged there. She leaned into him effortlessly, head tilted up with a radiant, easy smile ~ the kind that lit up without trying.
They looked happy.
They looked... right.
And Lyra? She just watched. Silent, unmoving.
It felt like staring through glass. Close enough to see every detail, yet forever on the outside.
Why did it hurt to see them like that?
Why did the warmth in their smiles never quite reach their eyes?
Why did everything ~ the laughter, the chatter... feel like it belonged to someone else?
Was it just her?
Was she the only one standing still while the rest of the world moved on?
"Wait... seriously? No way... congrats, Walter! Suzie!" The voice came from somewhere behind, loud and unfiltered, spilling over with excitement. "We have to celebrate this!"
Walter chuckled. "You're overreacting, Arlo."
The boy ~ Arlo scoffed, grinning. "Come on, man! I'm just shocked, that's all. Never thought you two would actually get together."
Suzie laughed, brushing her shoulder against Walter's before resting her head against him. "Guess we did," she said softly.
Arlo groaned dramatically. "Ugh, lovebirds. The rest of us are just background extras in your little love story now."
They laughed again ~ lightly, comfortably. The kind born from years of friendship, steady and sure.
But one person didn't laugh.
Walter glanced over. "Lyra?"
She blinked, startled. "Hm?"
"You alright?" Arlo's voice dropped, just a little.
Lyra nodded faintly. "Yeah... I'm fine." The words slipped out too easily, her voice light, but the faint tremor beneath it betrayed her. "Congrats, you two. Really. I hope it lasts."
Suzie's face lit up. She reached out, squeezing Lyra's hand warmly. "Thanks Lyra! Honestly... we owe this to you."
Lyra frowned. "Wait, what?"
Walter looked over, curious. "What do you mean?"
Suzie laughed quietly. "I mean, you helped me sort out how I really felt. All those late-night talks you listened through all my overthinking, through every time I doubted what I felt."
She smiled, then hooked her arm around Walter's with a softness that came so naturally.
Walter raised his brows and glanced back at Lyra, a grateful smile curving his lips. "Guess I owe you too, huh?"
Lyra returned a faint nod. "Don't mention it." Her smile was uneven ~ neither sad nor quite alright, just... there.
It all sounded casual, ordinary. But beneath her voice was something fragile, unnoticed by everyone. Like a wince, hidden behind gentleness.
"Alright, alright! A toast!" Arlo announced, raising his drink with flair. "To Walter and Suzie!"
"Geez, you're too much," Suzie laughed, but when she caught Lyra and Walter lifting their glasses too, she joined in.
Their glasses met with a crisp 'clink' quickly swallowed by more laughter.
Lyra drank deeply, feeling the cold slip down and settle somewhere hollow inside her. A small part of her hoped it would wash the bitterness away.
It didn't.
No one saw it.
Behind her smile, something had already begun to break.
********
"Come on, I'll drive you home," Arlo offered, leaning casually against the hood of his car while Lyra stood beside him, staring into the distance.
Their usual hangout had wrapped up, and Walter and Suzie had already left. Now, it was just the two of them, lingering in the quiet. The occasional hum of passing cars and the soft rustling of the night breeze were the only sounds around them.
Lyra turned toward him, narrowing her eyes slightly. "You sure? Wouldn't want your girlfriend getting mad again," she teased, her voice light, trying to keep things casual like always.
Arlo laughed, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Who said I have a girlfriend?" He flashed a mischievous grin. "Still single. Want to change that?"
Lyra chuckled. "You're not exactly my type."
He pulled a mock-wounded face. "Ouch. Harsh. So if not me, then who?"
He shot her a look, and for a moment, it was clear where this conversation was headed.
"So... what's your type then?" His voice took on a more serious tone. "Walter?"
For a second, Lyra froze. Her eyes widened, and her brows furrowed instinctively. But just as quickly, she brushed it off with a smile, trying to keep the mood light.
"What are you talking about?" she said, though a knot had already begun to form in her chest. "Don't be ridiculous. He's with Suzie."
Arlo nodded slowly, then shrugged, almost too casually. "So?"
Lyra blinked, confused. "So what?"
"So what if he's with Suzie?" His gaze sharpened, the teasing gone from his expression.
She stared at him, unsettled by the sudden shift. "What are you saying? That you want me to be a homewrecker? A traitor?" She half-laughed, but there was a thread of seriousness beneath it.
Instead of answering, Arlo just smiled, folding his arms across his chest. "So you're admitting it."
"What?" Her frown deepened.
Arlo sighed, shaking his head slowly. "Lyra, I know that I'm fine look you always put on."
"I'm fine." She tried to sound confident, but there was a slight waver in her voice. "You're being weird."
Arlo studied her carefully, as if waiting for her to drop the act. Then, his voice softened. "Alright if you don't want to talk about it." He shrugged lazily. "But don't pretend it doesn't hurt."
Nothing came out from Lyra ~ just the quiet of her mind.
"We've been friends long enough," he continued. "I know you better than that."
The night air grew colder, the breeze brushing past her like a reminder. Lyra dropped her gaze, clutching her hands together tightly.
She wanted to say something, but at the same time, every part of her wanted to run from the truth.
Because deep down, she knew... Arlo was right.
********
The key turned with a soft click, and the door opened. Lyra stepped into her small apartment, barely big enough for one. The living room was cramped, with a couch she often used to read or simply relax. Her tiny kitchen, tucked into a corner, sat next to a small dining table for two, though she usually ate alone.
She kicked off her shoes, placing them neatly by the door. She was exhausted, but it wasn't just from the day's activities. There was something heavier pressing against her chest, something that had been weighing on her all evening.
Without thinking, she walked into the bathroom. The warm water of the shower provided a brief comfort, a moment of calm amidst the chaos in her mind. But even as the steam fogged the mirror, her thoughts remained clouded.
After showering, Lyra slipped into a comfy t-shirt and shorts. She opened the fridge, found leftovers from yesterday's meal, and popped them in the microwave. While she waited, she leaned against the counter, staring ahead, lost in thought.
"Why do I feel like this?" she muttered softly, sinking into one of the chairs.
"How long has it been like this?" Without realizing, her grip tightened around the spoon.
"I'm always the one behind the scenes, always the one supporting."
"I'm the listener, the advice-giver, the one who makes sure everything's okay. But no one really sees me."
She let out a dry laugh, but there was no humor in it. "I even helped Suzie figure out her feelings for Walter."
Her gaze drifted to the window, her reflection dull in the glass. "And look at them now. They're happy."
The microwave beeped, pulling her out of her thoughts. She grabbed her food, sat at the table, and began eating slowly. But each bite tasted bland—maybe her mind was too occupied, or maybe it was the emotions she had been suppressing for so long.
She didn't even realize when she stopped chewing, staring blankly out the window, alone.
The four of them had been friends since high school ~ Arlo, Walter, Suzie, and herself. They'd been inseparable, a family in their own way, even with their differences. But something always kept them together.
They had been through so much together—skipping classes, laughing in the cafeteria, fighting over silly things and then making up like nothing had happened. They'd supported each other through the toughest times, lifting each other up when everything else seemed heavy. Even after graduation, when they went off to study different majors, they still made time to meet ~ whether for a cup of coffee or just to visit a place they all loved.
Their friendship had always felt strong, unshakable. But time didn't wait for anyone, and none of them knew what the future would bring. Not like this.
Lyra sighed quietly. "I shouldn't feel like this… I should be happy for them. I shouldn't want more."
But hope, she knew, was the hardest thing to let go of.
Her heavy eyes closed, letting the silence take over. Outside, a few streetlights flickered, but the night felt darker than usual.
********
"Huh! Why today of all days?!" she grumbled inwardly.
Since the morning, the 20-year-old had been nothing but frustrated. She'd woken up late. Her alarm had gone off multiple times, but her body just wouldn't cooperate. After a long night full of melancholy and dilemmas, now she had to race across campus. Her knee-length skirt fluttered with every step, and her breath came out in sharp, uneven bursts. Her shoes still half-tied made the chaos worse, but she didn't have a second to spare.
She should've been in the meeting room ten minutes ago. With only two months left until the campus festival, being late was not an option, especially for someone in the sponsorship & vendor division.
As she rushed through the corridor toward the meeting building, she checked her phone for a message from the committee. That was a mistake.
"Ouch!" Her foot caught on something... or someone.
Books and papers went flying. Lyra staggered, nearly falling, but caught herself by grabbing a nearby bench. The person she'd run into sat on the ground, rubbing his scraped knee.
"Huh... a surprise attack this early?" he said, looking up at her with a mix of confusion and amusement.
The dark-haired girl immediately bent to gather the scattered papers. "Sorry! I didn't mean to..."
"Clearly not on purpose," he replied, unbothered. "But it's still a hassle..."
Lyra didn't respond. She just focused on picking up her things.
The guy watched her for a moment, clearly annoyed, but after seeing her struggle, he finally helped. He neatly stacked her books, full of scribbles, and her colorful papers.
Once everything was collected, he handed it back to her. "Here."
Lyra looked up for the first time, noticing him more clearly. His hair was messy, and his varsity jacket seemed way too cozy for such a busy morning.
"Ah, thanks," she said, taking the papers from him. Then she fumbled a bit. "Sorry... about earlier."
Inside, she cursed herself. In her rush, she'd forgotten that she might have hurt someone.
"Are you okay?" she asked again.
The guy crossed his arms. "What do you think?"
Lyra flinched. His sharp look made her feel uncomfortable. "Sorry..."
"Is that all you're going to say?"
"So, what do you want me to do?" Lyra blinked, confused. "I don't know… are you hurt? But I really need to get to the meeting room. The president's going to pull my ears… especially since it's our first meeting."
He raised an eyebrow. "You're on the festival committee?"
Lyra nodded firmly.
"In that case, take me there."
"Huh? You want to report to the president so my punishment gets worse?" Lyra blinked, surprised. "Come on, I already apologized. If you're hurt, I'll pay for your medical bills or something..."
He rolled his eyes, thinking how 'cute' she was. If he could, he might want to pull her ears too.
"I'm part of the committee too," the guy said. "Media and Public Relations division."
"Really?" Lyra tried to remember, but nothing came to mind. More accurately, she didn't know him at all. This was their first time meeting after the registration and interview sessions. When the list was announced, Lyra had only focused on the members of her own division, funding and partnerships.
"Ah, I see..."
The guy glanced at his watch, then looked back at Lyra. "If we hang around here any longer, we'll both get in trouble. So, come on, show me where the meeting room is."
Lyra immediately panicked and turned toward the meeting building. "Geez! You're right... let's go!"
Without waiting for a response, she started running again, this time more cautiously. Meanwhile, the guy behind her shook his head and followed her.
After a few minutes of hurried running, they finally reached the meeting room door. It was already closed, indicating the meeting had started. Lyra swallowed nervously, while the guy simply sighed quietly.
"Huh... guess I'm about to get scolded," Lyra muttered under her breath before carefully opening the door.
As soon as they entered, all eyes turned to them. At the end of the table, a man in a rolled-up shirt and a slightly serious expression stared at them, arms crossed.
"Why are you late?" His voice was firm.
Lyra winced slightly. "I'm sorry... I woke up late and..."
"Lyra," the President, whose name tag read Alton, interrupted. "I know you're busy with classes, but this is an important meeting."
"Sorry... I promise I won't do it again," Lyra quickly replied, sitting down before the lecture could continue any further.
Alton then turned his attention to the person sitting next to Lyra. "You too, Robin. Even though you're a freshman, you need to adjust."
Robin shrugged casually. "I'll try."
"Don't just try, do it. Being on the committee isn't a game," Alton emphasized before getting back to the meeting.
Lyra sighed in relief and turned to the guy now known as Robin, sitting beside her. She tilted her head slightly, crossing her arms. "Ah, so that's why you didn't know where the meeting room was? Because you're a freshman?"
Robin turned slowly, his expression blank. "Looks like you can use your brain to figure things out, too."
Lyra furrowed her brow. "Huh?"
His tone felt like a jab. Sure, she knew she had been a little foolish earlier, but still... his words were annoying.
"What do you mean?" she whispered sharply.
Robin just shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips, which, for some reason, only made Lyra more irritated.
"God, we just met and I already want to throw a book at your head," she muttered, rubbing her temple.
Robin just chuckled softly and refocused on the meeting, while Lyra still tried to resist the urge to nudge him.
********
The room filled with the sound of chairs shifting as Alton stood up at the front. Clipboard in hand, he adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"Alright, this is our first meeting to prepare for the campus festival. I expect everyone to be ready to put in the work," he said, meeting each committee member's gaze.
He tapped his pen on the whiteboard, the NOVA Fest logo appearing on the projector screen.
"As you all know, this is the campus's biggest annual event. This year's theme is 'Ignite Your Passion'. A call for students to express their creativity, explore their interests, and showcase their talents. We'll have food stalls, a creative bazaar, art and music performances, and various interactive activities."
Alton's tone grew more serious. "The main venue will be the central campus area, with a large stage for performances, rows of outdoor booths, and several indoor spaces for workshops and exhibitions. The Student Council will work closely with different committee divisions and student clubs from various majors to pull this off."
Whispers spread across the room. Some committee members looked excited, while others quickly jotted down notes.
Alton moved on to explain the roles of each division, especially the closely connected Funding & Partnerships and Media & Publications divisions.
"The Funding Division is in charge of securing sponsors and partners for the festival, negotiating funding, and providing sponsor details for the media division to promote," he said, his tone firm.
"Meanwhile, the Media & Publications division will handle the festival's promotion, manage social media accounts, and create content for advertising."
Alton sighed. "Funding and media need to coordinate closely. The media team will need up-to-date sponsor information for design and social media promotions. Keep the list updated and send it on time."
In one corner of the room, Lyra scribbled down notes, making sure not to miss any key details. But when she glanced to the side, she saw Robin, sitting back with his arms crossed, looking less than engaged.
When the meeting ended, Lyra closed her notebook with a sigh. She could already imagine how busy her tasks would be... until...
"I hope you don't forget to send the sponsor list regularly," Robin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'd hate for our social media to suddenly promote a sponsor who backs out."
Lyra shot him a glare. "I'm always on time."
Robin raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Oh, really? We'll see."
She let out a quiet huff, realizing that working with someone like Robin was going to be a challenge.
********
Lyra walked out of the meeting room, letting out a quiet huff. It felt unfair, why did she have to work with someone like Robin? Especially after that sarcastic comment.
Meanwhile, Robin seemed completely unfazed, strolling leisurely behind her with his hands in his jacket pockets, as if enjoying watching her get more irritated.
Up ahead, her friends ~ Suzie, Arlo, and Walter were already waiting.
"Hey! That meeting took forever," Walter grumbled, crossing his arms. "We're about to starve over here."
"Relax, man," Arlo said casually. "So, how was the meeting? You look pissed."
Lyra sighed. "It's nothing. I just have to work with this annoying guy."
Suzie raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
Just then, Robin walked out of the room, brushing past them without a word.
Suzie instinctively glanced his way, her brow furrowing. "Oh? Who's that?"
Lyra shot a glance at Robin, then back at Suzie. "A new guy. Really annoying."
Suzie frowned, her gaze following his casual departure. "What's his major?" she asked softly. "His face looks... arrogant."
"Let me guess," Arlo chimed in with a small laugh, "you felt annoyed the second you saw him?"
Suzie shrugged. "Yeah, seems like it..."
Meanwhile, Robin briefly glanced in their direction but didn't react.
"Alright, enough of this. Let's get lunch," Arlo said, giving Lyra a playful pat on the shoulder. "You need some fuel to deal with that annoying guy."
Lyra sighed again before following her friends to the cafeteria. Robin paused for a moment, looking their way, then continued walking without saying a word.
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*** To Be Continue ***