WIN OR LOSE: HIGHSCHOOL AU

by hugmeimawwesome

Summary:

Highschool for the Pickles.. how could anything go wrong?

TW: Car Crash, Death, Lots of Drama

Ships: Taywen (for a small portion), Laurwen, Taychelle, Tomwen, Kaurie

Chapter 1: Character Look-Alike (if u care to know..)

Summary:

What I think the characters would look! Sorry if some r inaccurate, u can imagine them how u want

Hi!! This is my win or lose Highschool AU.. (the links below are what I think they would look like, it wouldn’t rlly let me show the photos, sigh.)

 

https://pin.it/2yg9mEbtp (Taylor)

 

https://pin.it/465W5tHcd (Yuwen)

 

https://pin.it/3M7A3yQWG (Rochelle, maybe just a tint darker.. no hate to this person, they r stunning)

 

https://pin.it/2Bke3MPb9 (Laurie)

https://pin.it/79zOOgg28 (Kai)

 

I literally can’t find a look alike for Tom, anyway… creds to all these people, they are all gorgeous. 

Chapter 2: “ First Day of School.”

Summary:

The Pickles reunite

The group had gone their separate ways after 6th grade. Some stayed close, while others drifted apart, no longer interested in softball. A few had moved on to different sports, and some had even quit athletics altogether.

As sophomore year began, no one seemed quite ready for the shift.

⸻

Yuwen walked into school, his usual confidence still present, but with a faint undercurrent of uncertainty. His usual bravado masked the fact that, despite his efforts, he still hadn’t landed a girlfriend. He was shy at heart, but he always wore his confidence like armor.

Yuwen and Taylor had distanced themselves over the summer—not by choice, but because life simply pulled them in different directions.

Taylor was chatting with Kai, laughing and complimenting each other. Yuwen couldn’t help but watch, mesmerized. Taylor looked… incredible. Wow.

Laurie walked in next, her backpack almost dragging her down. Her usual timidity was still there, a quiet shadow she carried since middle school.

“Hey, Laurie!” Rochelle spotted her and wrapped her arms around her from behind, the two having spent the summer together.

Kai noticed them and immediately stopped his conversation with Taylor. He waved. “Hey, girls! Come over here.”

Laurie blinked, her eyes widening as she saw Kai, his look drastically different from freshman year.

“You look so pretty, omg girl!” Rochelle squealed, jumping into Kai’s arms, making Laurie laugh.

Yuwen stood by awkwardly. Great, just like that, I’m the third wheel again…

Tom, now significantly taller than everyone, walked in next, his growth spurt more noticeable than anyone had expected.

“Hey!” He nudged Yuwen’s arm, pulling him from his thoughts.

Yuwen blinked, only to then do a double-take. Tom had a full-on mustache now.

“What the hell—!” Yuwen gasped. “When did this happen?”

“I know, I should probably shave it,” Tom muttered, though there was a hint of pride in his voice. His hunch was still there, but he had grown into it, the awkwardness of his posture no longer as glaring.

“No, I think it looks… uh, nice,” Yuwen offered, not used to giving compliments.

Before Tom could respond, Kai ran up to Yuwen and threw his arms around him. “I haven’t seen you all summer!”

Yuwen stood there for a second, stunned, before realizing that over the break, he had grown an inch. He was now taller than Kai, and it was strange to be on the receiving end of someone else’s embrace for once.

Taylor couldn’t bring herself to speak to Yuwen, not just yet. Maybe later in the day… or maybe never. She wasn’t sure. The weight of their past hung between them, making it harder to bridge the distance that had quietly grown.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the day, and Rochelle grabbed Taylor’s arm, pulling her toward their first class.

“I mean, seriously… you dated that boy in middle school!? What did you even see in him?” Rochelle groaned, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Taylor sighed, trying to push down the thoughts that were beginning to rise. “I’m moving on. High school is a fresh start, right? I want to meet someone new… someone I can really grow with.”

Though her words were steady, there was a quiet ache underneath. She wanted to forget about Yuwen, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the memory of what they had.

Yuwen, standing a few feet away, couldn’t help but hear their conversation. His frown deepened. Moving on, huh?

Kai caught up with him as they walked toward class. He gave Yuwen a sidelong glance and spoke softly. “Yuwen, this school year is your chance to get someone new… You’ve been stuck on Taylor for too long. It’s time to move on.”

Yuwen let out a sigh, staring at the floor. “I guess…” His voice was quiet, but he didn’t need to say more. They both knew how complicated it all was. As he followed Kai, glancing down at his schedule, the weight of the conversation lingered in the air. Taylor was in his past, and yet, the pull of what they once shared still lingered.

—

Yuwen sat next to Kai in class, his thoughts wandering. None of the girls around him really sparked his interest—not in the way he needed someone to. He couldn’t keep holding onto the past, especially not when he was struggling to get over Taylor. He had to try harder, push himself more.

Meanwhile, Kai was focused, writing down notes diligently as the teacher spoke. Yuwen, on the other hand, had completely forgotten to take any. I can’t fail the first week, he thought, snapping back to reality.

“Psst…” Yuwen whispered, trying to catch Kai’s attention.

She turned, raising an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“I need your notes… please,” Yuwen said with a small frown. He didn’t want to look like an idiot, especially on the first day.

Kai gave him a small, teasing smile. “Okay, okay! After class.”

Yuwen nodded, relieved, then quickly grabbed his phone from under the desk. His thumb automatically scrolled, and before he realized it, he was watching one of Taylor’s TikToks from her sweet 16. Of course, he thought bitterly, I wasn’t invited…

He hadn’t even noticed how much she’d changed—her braces were gone, and her beads were no longer in her hair. She looked different, older. Why am I even looking at this? He tried to shake the thoughts from his mind, but they lingered.

“Yuwen, on your phone, I see?” The teacher’s voice cut through his distraction.

Yuwen immediately shoved his phone under his leg, stumbling over his words. “Nah-… I… I wasn’t—”

“He definitely was! I saw it,” Rochelle’s voice rang out from behind him, and she couldn’t hide her smug grin.

The class burst into laughter, and Yuwen felt his face heat up.

“Detention after school, Mr. Wang,” the teacher sighed, clearly exhausted by the whole situation.

“What!?” Yuwen groaned, glaring at Rochelle with as much intensity as he could muster.

Rochelle wasn’t intimidated. She saw him as nothing more than a sad little boy who couldn’t keep his head in the game.

Kai chuckled quietly, but didn’t let it distract her. She was already back to scribbling notes, clearly unfazed by the drama unfolding beside her.

. . .

After class, Yuwen was fuming. His entire first day had been a disaster. Detention on the first day? He hadn’t even managed to get through one full class without screwing up. All that anger management training over the summer? It didn’t seem to help as much as he’d hoped, but he had learned how to handle it… kind of.

“Wow… detention on the first day?” Kai’s voice broke through his thoughts, her tone dripping with disbelief. “I can’t even imagine how mad my dad would be if I was in your shoes.”

“Shut up…” Yuwen groaned, rubbing his forehead. His mother would be so disappointed in him. He could already hear her lecture echoing in his mind.

“Hey! I’m just saying, good luck,” Kai shrugged, not missing a beat.

The two of them fell into an awkward silence as they walked through the hallway, both trying to process the mess of the morning. Suddenly, they noticed Rochelle arguing with a boy near the lockers.

Rochelle wasn’t known for backing down from a fight, not since middle school. Freshman year had been full of close calls, and it seemed like nothing had changed. The scene was about to escalate, and Yuwen could already feel the tension building.

“Be original, I’m yawning,” Rochelle taunted, clearly unfazed by the growing crowd that was gathering around them. Her voice was sharp, her smirk never faltering.

Kai let out a nervous laugh, looking around at the circle of students. “Here we go again…” She shoved her way through the crowd, trying to get to Rochelle before things went too far.

“That’s enough,” Kai finally said, grabbing Rochelle’s arm and pulling her away from the argument.

But Rochelle wasn’t done. She and the boy continued to shout at each other, the argument far from over. With a sigh, Kai dragged Rochelle further down the hall, trying to calm the situation before it exploded.

Yuwen, already done with the chaos of the day, just shook his head and walked off, leaving Kai to handle her stubborn friend.

—

At lunch, Kai, Rochelle, Laurie, Taylor, Tom, and Yuwen sat on a bench, each absorbed in their own activities—some on their phones, others chatting casually.

Kai had been diving deeper into basketball, though she still played softball occasionally, just for fun. Her TikTok was mostly a spectator sport—she never posted, but her Instagram was full of daily life moments, from casual shots to sneak peeks into her personal world.

Rochelle, on the other hand, had found her niche on TikTok with “Get Ready With Me” videos, where she vented about things she hated. Her followers grew daily, and she was feeding off the same energy her mother had—everyone loved how brutally honest and entertaining her content was.

Laurie, having quit softball, had poured herself into learning how to do hair. After that unfortunate bang incident, she focused on letting her hair grow back and explored her passion for drawing. She posted her sketches on TikTok, sometimes getting lost in the endless scroll of likes or the occasional flop.

Taylor had started to form a new girl group, though she still hung out with Kai, Laurie, and Rochelle, and occasionally Tom. Her TikTok and Instagram were full of lip-syncs, braid tutorials, and the occasional candid shot. She was becoming a star in her own right.

Yuwen, meanwhile, had taken up soccer. He dreamed of becoming famous, maybe even like Messi one day. His TikTok was filled with soccer content—practices, challenges, and the occasional highlight reel.

Tom wasn’t big on social media, but he was making noticeable strides in other areas—particularly his grades, which had been improving steadily.

“Guys! Look at how many likes I’m getting!” Taylor suddenly exclaimed, holding up her phone with a grin of pride.

“Omg, girl, you look so cute!” Rochelle cooed, glancing at Taylor’s screen.

Laurie frowned as she took another bite of her lunch. “How do you guys get viral? I don’t get it.”

“Genetics,” Rochelle said casually, taking a sip of her juice, convinced it was all inherited from her mother.

Yuwen couldn’t hold back his frustration. “Oh, shut up. Your videos suck!”

“Boy, please. You post CapCut template soccer edits. I don’t wanna hear it,” Rochelle shot back with a smirk.

Kai couldn’t contain her laughter, and Laurie covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.

Yuwen, now feeling embarrassed, just slouched in his seat, his face turning a little red. He fell silent.

“CLOCKED,” Kai said, clapping her hands together for dramatic effect.

“Guys, stop arguing…” Taylor blinked, clearly not happy with how the conversation was going. She pulled out her phone, ignoring the tension, and held it up to take a selfie.

Rochelle immediately jumped into the frame, striking a pose.

Kai followed suit, doing exaggerated duck lips and flashing the peace sign.

“Laurie, come on!” Rochelle urged, trying to pull her into the picture.

Laurie hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. “Nah… I don’t really… do pictures.”

Yuwen glanced at Laurie, blinking. He had to admit—she was pretty. He couldn’t ignore it.

“Why not?” he asked, his voice a bit quieter than usual.

Laurie shrugged, looking away. “I don’t feel… uh, never mind,” she mumbled, trying to dismiss the subject.

Yuwen hesitated, then spoke again, his words a little clumsy. “I think you look… great. You should be in the photo.”

The words came out awkwardly, but there was something genuine about them. He sighed, unsure how to follow up, but the silence that followed felt heavier than expected.

Laurie’s eyes widened slightly, a surprised smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Wha—?”

The table went dead silent for a moment, the weight of the compliment hanging in the air.

Yuwen, his ears burning red, immediately excused himself. “Uh, I’m gonna go… to the bathroom.”

He stood up quickly, leaving the table behind as he hurried off, hoping to escape the awkwardness of the moment.

—

After school, the groupchat the group had:

Kai: Who wants to join me at the softball field for a small game?

Taylor: I’m down.

Rochelle: Not the nostalgia 😭

Laurie: I still can’t hit a ball after all these years.. 🤣

Yuwen: PREPARE TO GET DEMOLISHED 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💪💪💪💪

Kai: has nothing changed? 😂😂

Yuwen: What can I say? I’m just like that 🤷‍♂️

Rochelle: yeah, yeah.. 😑

Chapter 3: “ Tension.”

Summary:

Kai tries to break the tension between Taylor and Yuwen, who are both avoiding each other

The Next Morning

—

Rochelle: That was so fun… reminds me of old times.

Kai: Real sh—

Laurie: I still didn’t get any hits… sigh

Yuwen: Well, maybe softball just isn’t your thing.

Rochelle: Didn’t you call Laurie prettyyyyy? 😽

Taylor: Oh. (Jealous.)

Kai: AWWWW.

Tom: Cute.

Laurie: Guys, stopppp. It’s not like that.

Yuwen: Yeah, at all.

Rochelle: Whatever, see y’all at schoolllll.

Kai: Cya.

—

Yuwen sighed as he locked his phone. Taylor’s response didn’t exactly scream I’m over him… but whatever. He was over her. Right?

Shaking it off, he rolled out of bed—he always got ready in the last 30 minutes. Throwing on a gray New York hoodie, baggy denim jeans, and white sneakers, he kept it simple. His middle school fits? Embarrassing. He’d definitely matured since then. He ruffled his hair in the mirror before grabbing his backpack and heading out.

—

Taylor was up early, as usual. She kept her makeup light—lashes, lip gloss, and a touch of glitter at the corners of her eyes.

She wore black leggings with a pink puffer jacket and matching pink Crocs. Her knotless boho braids were styled half-up, half-down, tied with a crisp white bow. Squinting at her reflection, she struck a few poses, making sure she liked how she looked. Satisfied, she filmed a quick lip-syncing video before heading out.

But first—like always—she peeked into Ira’s room. He was still curled up in bed, getting extra sleep since he was in elementary school. (I headcanoned he was seven, now grown into a ten-year-old fifth grader.) He still had that wild imagination of his, but at least he’d finally outgrown his toilet paper spool phase.

—

Kai never woke up super early, but she made sure to have time to put her outfit together.

She threw on a white cropped tee, gray sweatpants, a fitted gray zip-up hoodie, and white-and-gray Air Jordan 4s. Silver accessories—bracelet, headphones—completed the look.

Her eyeliner was sharp, her lip gloss flawless (lined, of course). She gathered her dreads into a high ponytail, grabbed her camera, and snapped a mirror pic—her phone covering her face. A quick upload to Instagram, and she was out the door.

—

Laurie didn’t put much effort into her mornings. She either woke up late or gave herself a rushed 20-minute window before school.

Today was one of those rushed days. She tugged on a navy blue hoodie, black leggings, Nike socks, and black Crocs.

“Ready for school, hun?” her mom called from the door—it was her mom’s custody week.

“Yeah,” Laurie mumbled, pulling her hair into a ponytail before grabbing her backpack and heading out.

—

Rochelle, on the other hand, was extra early. Her GRWM videos weren’t going to film themselves.

She dressed first, wearing a white crop top, a dark red GAP jacket, and baggy jeans.

“Get ready with me while I talk about the wildly normalized things at my school…” she began, her expression exaggeratedly concerned as she grabbed her products for the video.

Vanessa peeked through the crack of Rochelle’s door, watching with teary eyes.

“She’s growing up to be just like me… oh, mi mija…” she whispered, shaking her head.

—

Tom? Tom was late. As usual.

He barely tried when it came to outfits—today, he settled for jorts and a random graphic tee. He gave himself a once-over in the mirror, winked, and struck a pose.

“Go Tom!” he hyped himself up, finger-gunning at his reflection.

And just like that, another school day began.

—

The school parking lot was buzzing with students, backpacks slung over shoulders, laughter echoing through the crisp morning air.

As soon as Taylor stepped onto campus, Rochelle practically tackled her into a hug.

“Omg, girl, I need your wardrobe! You look so cute,” Rochelle gushed, pulling her in tight.

“Thank you, boo!” Taylor squealed, hugging her back.

From the side, Yuwen rolled his eyes dramatically. “You two are so annoying.”

Taylor shot him a playful glare before flipping her hair. “You’re just mad ‘cause no one hypes you up.”

Yuwen scoffed, but before he could respond, Laurie shyly waved at him. “Hi, Yuwen…”

Yuwen flinched. Laurie never greeted him like that. Sure, he had apologized for the video he made about her a while back—deleted it, too—but they’d never really spoken since.

Still, he gave a small wave back. “Hey, Laurie.”

For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other. Yuwen saw something familiar in Laurie, like a reflection of himself—just without the overconfident mask he always wore.

Laurie, on the other hand, never really knew the real Yuwen.

Taylor watched the exchange, an unexpected pang of jealousy twisting in her stomach. She groaned internally. Why do I care? I don’t care. Right?

Kai, ever the observer, caught the entire moment unfold. Her eyes widened, connecting the dots in real-time.

“Oh… OH. WAIT—OH!!” She gasped, pointing between Taylor, Yuwen, and Laurie.

Rochelle blinked, confused. “What? What is it?”

Kai smirked, leaning in. “Nothing… I’ll tell you later.”

—

At lunch, the tension was palpable. The usual chatter was replaced by the soft tapping of Rochelle’s phone as she scrolled through TikTok. The silence was awkward, like everyone was waiting for someone to break it.

“Omg, Taylor, let’s do the ‘Shake it’ dance!” Rochelle held her phone up, showing the dance that was trending.

“Totally! At my sleepover—” Taylor’s eyes widened, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. She wasn’t supposed to let that slip.

“Sleepover, huh?” Kai raised an eyebrow, already knowing about it. But there was one person who wasn’t in the loop.

Yuwen blinked. “You guys are having a sleepover?” He wasn’t invited, but he wouldn’t make it obvious. He’d rather not make a big deal out of it.

“Why don’t you invite Yuwen?” Rochelle suddenly pointed across the table, her voice sweet but her grin suspiciously wide.

Yuwen froze. “Oh… nooo…” He laughed nervously, trying to downplay it. “I don’t want to crash your girls’ night.”

“Nahhhh, I was going for a girls’ night,” Taylor said with a chuckle, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her tone.

“Then why is Tom invited?” Kai’s voice cut through the air with a playful yet knowing smirk.

Taylor’s face flushed. “Fine.” She exhaled sharply.

“Was that so hard?” Kai chuckled, clearly pleased.

Rochelle caught Kai’s eye, and they shared a silent exchange. She knew exactly what Kai was up to. They were in sync, each trying to nudge Yuwen and Taylor back toward each other.

Mission: Get Yuwen and Taylor back together.

The plan was in motion.

—

After school, Kai and Yuwen were heading out of the building, ready to call it a day, when—

“Did you know Rochelle is about to get into a fight?” A student whispered to their friend, their voices laced with excitement. Without missing a beat, they bolted in the direction of the chaos.

Kai and Yuwen froze, eyes wide. “What!?” they both yelled in unison, before rushing toward the source of the commotion.

“Guys, you have to hurry!” Tom gasped, hands on his knees, breath ragged. “Rochelle’s about to fight!”

“Where!?” Kai demanded, already moving forward in a hurry.

“By the stairs!” Tom barely managed to spit out before they all took off toward the first floor.

As they rounded the corner, they spotted Rochelle, her curly hair being tied back into a tight ponytail. The boy standing opposite her, clearly frightened, tried to keep his composure, but his shaking hands betrayed his nerves.

“Oh, he’s dead,” Taylor said with a smirk, impressed by Rochelle’s unyielding confidence.

Laurie watched from the sidelines, unable to look away but clearly uncomfortable. “This is ridiculous,” she sighed.

Rochelle dropped into her fighting stance, and the boy’s expression tightened with fear. Without any hesitation, Rochelle launched herself at him, moving like a force of nature.

It wasn’t even the second full day, and already Rochelle was putting her frustrations to good use.

Tom stood in awe, his phone out instinctively as he started recording the spectacle. The crowd around them roared, some laughing, others gasping in shock.

Rochelle was in full swing—punching, pulling his hair, landing blows to his face as he stumbled backward, desperate to defend himself.

“At least… she’s winning?” Laurie mumbled under her breath, peeking over the crowd, unable to hide her amazement.

“No! This isn’t good!” Kai groaned, trying to push through the throng of students to intervene.

“Talk about my mom AGAIN! I SWEAR—” Rochelle’s eyes burned with rage as she landed another punch, the boy’s nose now bleeding freely.

Kai finally shoved through, grabbing Rochelle’s arm and pulling her away from the boy. Teachers stormed the scene, pulling the crying boy away, but it was too late. Rochelle’s anger had already been unleashed.

Rochelle grunted, brushing herself off nonchalantly as if the fight was nothing more than a brief distraction.

“Rochelle Kiana Rodriguez, to my office… NOW.” The principal’s voice rang out over the loudspeaker, his tone commanding.

The students gasped, a chorus of groans filling the hallway as they slowly pulled their phones back, no longer interested in the show.

“Well… that’s me,” Rochelle muttered to herself, her voice dripping with confidence as she wiped the blood off her hands. “That mf deserved it.”

With a final glare, Rochelle stormed off toward the principal’s office, leaving behind a trail of chaos.

—

Rochelle slumped in the principal’s office, her arms crossed tightly, glaring at the boy across from her. He was holding a napkin to his nose, trying to stem the blood, but his face was still pale from the shock.

“Rochelle,” the principal began, his voice stern as he watched the footage of the fight loop on his monitors. “Do you understand the damage you just caused? And it’s only the second day of school.”

Rochelle’s eyes narrowed, her teeth gritted. “No, he talked about my mom. And he runs a literal hate account on her!” She leaned back in the chair, her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.

“I understand that,” the principal replied, rubbing his temples as he paused the video. “But that doesn’t excuse you putting your hands on a defenseless boy.”

Rochelle’s mouth opened, then snapped shut. She had nothing to say to that.

“Exactly my point,” the principal muttered, almost to himself, watching her struggle to come up with a defense. Rochelle’s rage flared up again, and she shot the boy a venomous glare.

He couldn’t help but chuckle, his nose still dripping blood.

Rochelle’s death glare intensified. The boy cleared his throat awkwardly, but the smug expression didn’t leave his face.

The door to the office swung open, and in walked Vanessa, followed by the boy’s mother, who was clearly still in the middle of an argument.

“Make this quick, I refuse to believe my daughter did anything wrong.” The mother plopped down next to her daughter with a huff.

“Improper mothers…” the boy’s mother muttered under her breath, before quickly clearing her throat, pretending she hadn’t spoken.

Vanessa shot her a sharp look, her jaw tightening as she tried to hold her composure.

“Why did I have to leave work for this?” Vanessa asked, draping her arm over Rochelle’s shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly.

“Work? I’m surprised,” the boy’s mother retorted, placing her hand dramatically over her heart as if Vanessa had just insulted her.

“Enough!” The principal’s voice cut through the tension. “We’re here to discuss what happened.”

Vanessa’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Rochelle, then turned her attention back to the principal. “A fight?” she asked, sounding almost disappointed.

“Well, what for?” she added, glaring down at Rochelle as if expecting an explanation.

The principal began, but Vanessa immediately raised a hand to silence him. “I wasn’t speaking to you,” she snapped, her tone cold.

Rochelle sighed, then put on her best “I’m innocent” voice. “He made fun of you and made a hate account about you…” She gave Vanessa her most convincing look. “It’s totally justified, right?”

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “A hate account?” She blinked in disbelief, her heart stinging a little at the idea of someone hating on her. She never thought that could happen.

The boy’s mother snickered and exchanged a high-five with her son, clearly entertained by the drama unfolding.

The principal’s brows furrowed at the exchange. “Is this entertaining to you, Miss?” he asked the boy’s mother, his voice cold with frustration.

“I just want everyone out of my office,” the principal finally sighed, rubbing his temples. “Rochelle and Adam will have a conference on Wednesday after their two-day suspension.”

Both Rochelle and Vanessa shot the boy and his mother one final death glare before turning to leave the office, their anger simmering just beneath the surface.

—

(I’m too tired to write the rest. The sleepover will be posted tmr)

Chapter 4: “ Feelings weren’t invited?.. “

Summary:

The group gathers at Taylor’s house for a sleepover, but tension lingers beneath the surface.

“Should I even be taking you to this sleepover? You’re suspended for three days, Rochelle.” Vanessa sighed as she pulled up to Taylor’s house, her tone a mix of frustration and concern.

Rochelle just groaned, grabbing her overnight bag without looking up. “I know, I know…”

Vanessa glanced back at her daughter, her expression softening. “I love you, okay?”

Rochelle paused, her hand on the door handle. Her eyes met her mom’s, the forced smile on her face not quite reaching her eyes. But her words were real. “I love you too.” She stepped out of the car, waving as Vanessa drove away.

—

Yuwen was beyond nervous. He wasn’t even invited in the first place. Sitting in the front seat of his mom’s food truck, he tapped his foot anxiously.

“Taylor?” Ms. Wang glanced at him, eyebrow raised. “I thought you broke up with her.”

Yuwen pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning softly. “The other way around… and that was years ago.”

“Then why do you want to go?”

Yuwen froze, caught off guard by the question. Why did he want to go? His mind immediately went to Taylor, but he shut that thought down. No way. It wasn’t about her. It was just because his friends were there… right?

“My friends.” Yuwen mumbled quickly, pushing open the passenger door.

Ms. Wang sighed but smiled softly. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Love you, Yuwen.”

“Love you too, Mom.” He shut the door and walked toward Taylor’s house, trying to convince himself that he wasn’t doing this because of her.

—

Kai and Yuwen’s Messages (Yuwen’s POV)
Contact Name: twin 🖤 (they both had this for each other)

Yuwen: just got here
Kai: kk, I’ll be at the front in a min
Yuwen: alr

—

Rochelle, Taylor, Laurie, and Kai Messages
GC Name: mean girls 💓

Kai: Taylor, hurry up in the bathroom.. ur man is here
Taylor: don’t pmo, he’s not my man.
Laurie: I might be there late.. sorry
Rochelle: it’s ok, Laur!
Laurie: and… Yuwen is coming?
Kai: yea, why?
Laurie: nothing, I didn’t think Taylor would invite him
Taylor: 😐 I did not invite him
Kai: I mean, you could’ve easily said no
Taylor: I DIDN’T wanna be mean… and this could be my chance to be coo with him
Rochelle: yeaaahhhhh.. okay 🤣
Laurie: oh.

—

Laurie put her phone down, her mind swirling as she packed her bag. Her heart felt… weird. Did she like Yuwen? No. She shook her head, trying to push the thought away.

That’s her friend’s ex. She couldn’t.

She wouldn’t.

…Right?

—

Everyone eventually gathered in the living room, but the energy was… off. No one was talking. Just the occasional tapping and scrolling sounds filled the space as they all stared at their phones.

“Uhh, what are we gonna do? I’m bored.” Kai groaned, flopping back on the couch dramatically.

Rochelle barely heard her, too focused on watching her likes pile up on her latest Instagram post. She blinked, completely absorbed.

“Real.” Taylor mumbled, finally putting her phone down.

“How about… Truth or Dare?” Laurie suggested, brushing her long hair out of her face. Her voice was soft, but it was enough to grab everyone’s attention.

“SHI, I’m down.” Kai perked up immediately, scooting closer to Laurie and hinting for everyone to form a circle.

“Bet!” Taylor followed, sitting beside Kai.

Rochelle finally snapped out of her phone trance when Taylor reached over and tugged her toward the circle. “Ugh, fine.” She groaned but went along with it.

Tom plopped down beside Rochelle, his usual chill demeanor intact.

Yuwen gulped, hesitating for a second before sitting between Tom and Rochelle. His palms felt sweaty. This was gonna be a long night.

“So, who’s first?” Taylor asked, her gaze sweeping across the circle.

Kai smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “How about… Yuwen?” She suggested, her tone a little too casual. Taylor’s eye twitched, barely masking her irritation.

“Oh.” Yuwen blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Uh…”

“Laurie,” Yuwen said, his confident smirk returning as he leaned back slightly, trying to play it cool.

Laurie flinched at the sudden attention. “Oh!” Her eyes widened, her heart pounding.

“Truth or Dare.” Yuwen gave a small head nod, his smirk growing.

“Uhhhmm… truth.” Laurie mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. She was always considered a wimp when it came to this game—she never picked dare.

The group groaned in unison.

“Sorry…” Laurie bit her lip, her cheeks turning pink.

“Okay…” Yuwen thought for a second before his smirk deepened. “Who do you like?”

The room instantly went quiet.

Everyone’s attention snapped to Laurie. Even Rochelle, who had been half-distracted, sat up straight.

“This is gonna be good,” Tom mumbled under his breath.

Laurie’s eyes darted between Yuwen and Kai, her heart pounding in her ears. Yuwen was… a crush. A small one. But Kai? Kai was something else entirely. Something deeper.

“I, uh…” Laurie’s voice faltered, her eyes lowering as she fidgeted with her hands.

“Eh, maybe she doesn’t wanna answer.” Kai spoke up, her tone soft as she gently patted Laurie’s back, trying to save her.

Everyone groaned again.

“Lame.” Yuwen shrugged, but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Rochelle wasn’t letting that slide. She grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at him. “Shut up! How about you tell us who you like?” Rochelle grinned, her eyes narrowing.

Silence.

Taylor’s expression hardened as she refused to look at him… but curiosity got the best of her. She stole a glance, her heart pounding with hope and dread at the same time.

Yuwen blinked, his confidence fading in an instant. His usual cool façade cracked, leaving him vulnerable. “Oh… uh.” His throat felt dry, and he could feel everyone’s eyes on him.

“I like Tom.” Yuwen blurted out, his voice filled with panic.

Tom blinked, completely caught off guard. “Huh?”

Yuwen winked at him, and it clicked. Tom’s eyes squinted. “Ohhh.” He played along, nodding with a smirk.

“WHAT!?” Rochelle, Kai, and Taylor screamed in unison, their shocked voices echoing through the room.

Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed down the stairs.

“Can y’all shut up!? I’m tryna play Roblox!” Ira’s small voice echoed from the hallway, clearly annoyed.

“Ira?” Yuwen’s face lit up at the familiar voice. He hadn’t seen him in a while.

“Yuwen!” Ira’s frown vanished, replaced by a wide smile. “Hii!” He waved excitedly.

“Ira, go back upstairs.” Taylor’s tone was firm, but her eyes softened as she looked at her little brother. She loved him to death, even if he was a little nosy.

Ira pouted but shrugged, heading back upstairs while talking loudly on Roblox VC.

“How old is he now?” Rochelle asked, finding him adorable.

“Ten.” Taylor sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“Aww.” Laurie’s expression softened, her heart melting at the thought.

“Anyway…” Rochelle turned back to Yuwen, crossing her arms. “You actually like Tom?” Her tone was skeptical.

“Uhh…” Yuwen’s face flushed. “Forget about it.” He waved it off, shaking his head.

But it was too late. The mood had shifted.

Taylor’s heart clenched, jealousy swirling inside her. Her eyes lingered on Yuwen, but this love triangle? It was turning into something much more complicated.

And she wasn’t sure how to feel about it. (Well, now it’s kinda a love rectangle.. Tom is now included for some reason)

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Yuwen’s “joke” about liking Tom had thrown everything off, and no one was laughing anymore.

Taylor’s jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing as she watched Yuwen awkwardly glance around the circle. He wouldn’t even meet her gaze.

“Forget about it?” Taylor’s voice was sharp, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. “Really, Yuwen? That’s all you’ve got?”

Yuwen’s throat went dry. “Tay, c’mon—”

“Don’t ‘Tay’ me.” She scoffed, shaking her head. “Why are you even here? You didn’t even get invited.” Her voice was lower now, but it was filled with venom.

“Yo…” Kai’s eyes widened, sensing the storm brewing. “Chill, Taylor.”

“Chill?!” Taylor’s head snapped toward Kai. “Don’t tell me to chill, Kai. You knew I didn’t want him here.”

“I—” Kai started, but Taylor wasn’t done.

“You knew how I felt! But you let him come anyway. And now we’re all just sitting here pretending everything’s cool?” Taylor’s voice rose, her emotions spiraling out of control.

Yuwen’s face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m not here to start anything,” he muttered, his jaw tightening. “I just wanted to—”

“Wanted to what? Make things awkward?” Taylor cut him off, her eyes glaring daggers.

“Bro, it’s not that deep.” Kai muttered, but her voice was softer this time. She hated seeing her friends like this.

“Not that deep?” Taylor turned her attention to Kai again, her tone dripping with disbelief. “Do you even know how hard it’s been trying to get over him? And now he’s here? Playing truth or dare like we’re all besties?”

Rochelle’s eyes darted between Taylor and Yuwen, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Guys… can we just—”

“Yo, what’s the problem?” Tom finally spoke up, his laid-back demeanor disappearing as he sensed things were getting out of hand. “It was just a joke. Yuwen’s just messing around.”

“Was it?” Taylor’s voice was laced with bitterness. She finally turned to Yuwen, her eyes glossy. “Or was that just your way of avoiding the truth?”

Yuwen’s face fell, his confidence gone. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“I can’t do this.” Taylor stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “I need some air.”

“Taylor, wait—” Laurie called out, but Taylor was already halfway to the back door, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence.

“Shit…” Rochelle muttered under her breath, exchanging a glance with Kai.

Kai exhaled slowly, rubbing her temples. “I’ll go check on her.”

“Good luck.” Rochelle mumbled, watching as Kai stood and followed after Taylor.

—

Outside

Taylor was standing by the pool, her arms crossed tightly as she stared at her reflection in the water.

“Why do I even care…” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the breeze.

Kai approached slowly, her footsteps quiet. “Tay…”

“Don’t.” Taylor’s voice was shaky. “Just… don’t.”

Kai didn’t listen. She stood beside her, hands stuffed in her hoodie pockets. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know.”

Taylor’s jaw clenched. “I’m not doing anything.”

“Lying to yourself?” Kai raised an eyebrow. “Yeah… you are.”

Taylor’s eyes snapped to her. “Kai, don’t—”

“You’re still into him.” Kai’s voice was gentle, but the words hit like a freight train.

Taylor’s lip quivered as she looked away. “I don’t know what I feel anymore.” Her voice cracked, her guard slipping.

Kai’s heart ached seeing her like this. “It’s okay to be confused… but running away isn’t gonna fix it.”

Taylor wiped at her eyes, her anger fading into something more vulnerable. “I just… I thought I was over him. I really did.”

Kai nodded, her voice softer. “Maybe you’re not. And that’s okay.”

Taylor finally turned to look at Kai, her eyes searching for some kind of reassurance. “What if… what if it’s too late?”

Kai gave her a small smile. “Then maybe… it’s not about going back. Maybe it’s about figuring out what you really want now.”

Taylor’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. “And what if I don’t know?”

“Then we’ll figure it out together.” Kai’s voice was steady, her loyalty unwavering.

Taylor swallowed hard, her emotions all over the place. “Thanks, Kai…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Always.” Kai smiled, nudging her shoulder gently.

But before either of them could say more—

CRASH.

A loud noise echoed from inside the house.

“Oh, hell no…” Kai muttered, her eyes widening.

“WHAT NOW?” Taylor’s frustration returned instantly as she whipped around, heading back toward the house.

—

Back Inside

Chaos.

Absolute chaos.

Tom’s grip on Rochelle was firm, but she was still squirming, her eyes locked on Yuwen with pure fire.

“You hurt Taylor!” Rochelle’s voice cracked, her anger bubbling over.

“Rochelle, chill!” Tom’s voice was strained as he tried to hold her back. “It’s not worth it.” His arms were shaking from her struggling, but he refused to let her go.

“Let me go, Tom!” Rochelle kicked, her bubble braids swinging as she thrashed.

“Bro, stop!” Tom pleaded, his heart racing. He saw Rochelle as a little sister—he couldn’t let her do something she’d regret.

—

Taylor and Kai ran in, eyes wide as they took in the chaos.

“Woah, woah!” Kai rushed forward, stepping between Rochelle and Yuwen. “Rochelle, chill.” Her voice was calm but firm.

Rochelle’s breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling as her eyes darted between Yuwen and Kai.

“Come on…” Kai murmured softly, placing a hand on Rochelle’s shoulder. “It’s over.”

Rochelle’s body went still, her anger slowly dissolving as her eyes softened.

She exhaled, allowing Tom to finally loosen his grip. “Calm…” Rochelle muttered, flopping down onto the couch, her hands gripping her knees tightly.

Kai sat beside her, running her fingers through Rochelle’s curls gently, her touch grounding her. “Breathe, Ro.”

Yuwen, however, was the complete opposite. He sat alone in a dark corner of the room, his head down, his eyes clouded with guilt.

He watched Rochelle and Kai from a distance, his chest tight with regret.

“Hey… uh, Yuwen.” Taylor’s soft voice broke through the tension.

Yuwen looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “Yeah?”

“Can we talk?” Taylor’s expression was hesitant, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yuwen’s heart skipped a beat, but he nodded, standing up.

—

Upstairs—Taylor’s Room

Taylor’s room was neat and organized, her LED lights glowing a soft purple that reflected off the walls. Posters of her favorite singers were perfectly aligned, her trophies from past championships lined up on the shelf.

Yuwen sat on the edge of her bed, his hands nervously clasped in his lap.

Taylor sat beside him, her body angled toward him, but she kept a little distance.

The silence stretched between them, heavy and awkward.

“So…” Taylor finally spoke, her voice softer than usual. “I… I’m sorry.”

Yuwen blinked, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. “For what?”

“For being so salty these past few years.” Taylor’s voice cracked a little as she looked down at her hands. “We should’ve talked it out after that mess… after the championship in middle school.”

Yuwen’s expression softened, but he didn’t say anything, letting her finish.

“I just… I let everything get to me. I hated how things ended between us.” Taylor’s voice was barely above a whisper now. “But I really miss you… as a friend. Of course.” She started to reach out, her hand hovering near his shoulder—but she hesitated, pulling back at the last second.

Yuwen’s heart clenched. He noticed the hesitation, but he understood. He didn’t expect things to go back to how they were. Too much had happened.

“Yeah… I get it,” Yuwen murmured, his voice softer now. He turned toward her, offering a small smile. “I miss you too, Tay. And I’m sorry… for everything. I didn’t handle things well either.”

Taylor finally looked up, her eyes meeting his.

“Maybe…” Yuwen continued, his voice filled with hope. “Maybe we can put all this behind us? Start over… as friends?”

Taylor’s lips curved into a small smile, a genuine one this time. “Of course.”

Yuwen’s smile grew, and for the first time in a long time, the weight that had been pressing down on both of them seemed to lift.

—

Downstairs

Meanwhile, back in the living room, the atmosphere had shifted.

“I can’t believe you tried to fight Yuwen.” Tom shook his head, giving Rochelle a pointed look as he passed her a cup of soda.

Rochelle rolled her eyes but took the cup. “I wasn’t gonna fight him… just… rough him up a little.”

Kai snorted. “Right. Because that’s totally different.”

“Whatever.” Rochelle muttered, taking a sip to avoid meeting their amused stares.

Kai’s eyes drifted toward the stairs, her mind clearly elsewhere.

“You think they’re okay up there?” she asked softly.

“Dunno.” Tom shrugged. “But… they needed that talk.”

Rochelle glanced toward the stairs as well, her expression softening. “Yeah…”

“Yo, if they’re not back in five minutes, I’m eating all the pizza,” Ira’s voice called from the kitchen.

Kai rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips.

“Typical.”

For the first time that night, things finally felt… okay.

But little did they know, the drama wasn’t over just yet.

—

The group was sprawled across the living room, munching on pizza as Mean Girls played on the TV. Greasy fingers, half-empty soda cans, and the occasional burst of laughter filled the space.

“This is TRASH…” Ira muttered, slouching deeper into the couch. His nose scrunched up as Karen Smith’s clueless commentary filled the screen.

“You and me both, bud.” Yuwen gave Ira a fist bump without taking his eyes off the screen, sipping his soda with a deadpan expression.

“Stop being so dramatic,” Taylor chuckled, throwing a napkin at them.

Kai, however, was completely absorbed. Her eyes were glued to the screen, a soft smile tugging at her lips. Mean Girls was more than just a movie to her. It made her feel seen—secure in her identity as a transgender girl. Watching confident, unapologetic girls navigate high school drama reminded her that she could carve her own path too.

“Y’all just don’t get it,” Kai mumbled under her breath, her grin growing as Regina George strutted onto the screen.

“I hate Regina.” Rochelle crossed her arms, leaning back with a huff. “I don’t get why everyone loves her.”

“Same.” The group collectively agreed… well, except for Ira.

“Why is she a diva though?” Ira asked, genuinely confused, his eyes narrowing as he tried to piece it together.

“Boy, what?” Taylor blinked at him, shaking her head.

The room erupted into laughter, Rochelle snorting into her drink while Tom almost choked on his slice.

“Bro… you watch too many YouTube Shorts,” Yuwen teased, nudging Ira playfully.

Ira shrugged, unbothered, and kept watching like nothing happened.

“Cady’s my favorite.” Laurie’s eyes sparkled as Lindsay Lohan’s character appeared on screen. She leaned forward a little, completely engrossed in the movie.

“Ehh, yeah.” Taylor nodded thoughtfully. “Cady’s cool, but I like Gretchen the most.”

“Gretchen? Really?” Rochelle raised a brow, looking at her like she was crazy.

“Yeah! She’s loyal… in her own way.” Taylor defended her choice, shrugging.

“Girl, please.” Rochelle shook her head, laughing softly.

“Whatever.” Taylor smirked, her eyes drifting back to the screen.

“Yo, y’all are weird.” Kai laughed, leaning back with a satisfied grin. “But I’m all in.”

—

The movie credits rolled, and before anyone could comment, Ira was already on his feet.

“Back to my Blox Fruits. I wasn’t done grinding…” he groaned, dashing upstairs toward his iPad. His footsteps thudded against the floor, eager to dive back into his battles.

“Him and that damn game.” Taylor shook her head, laughing softly.

“Boy’s addicted,” Yuwen added with a smirk, leaning back.

“Okay, but who wants to hit the hot tub?” Taylor announced, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

The room erupted in cheers.

“Ohhh, that’s why you said bring swimsuits!” Kai was practically vibrating with excitement, already thinking about how good it would feel to unwind.

“Outdoor? Since when did you get that?” Rochelle raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.

“We had it installed for my 15th birthday.” Taylor shrugged, a hint of pride in her voice. “Took forever, but it was worth it.”

“Hell yeah!” Yuwen grinned, fist-bumping Tom as they all got up to change.

—

Everyone was settled into the hot tub, the warm water glowing with soft, colorful lights as steam rose into the cool night air. Laughter echoed as they all relaxed—everyone except Laurie.

“Hey… where’s Laurie?” Taylor frowned, her feet still dipped in the water while she scanned the area.

Kai sighed quietly. She knew exactly what was going on. Laurie never felt comfortable in swimwear, and Kai had seen that insecurity linger in her for a while.

Sure enough, Laurie emerged, stepping out cautiously in her swimsuit. She was visibly uncomfortable, arms crossed over her stomach, her body language screaming hesitation.

Yuwen’s eyes immediately lit up. His gaze lingered, completely captivated. Laurie looked… stunning. His heart thudded in his chest as he tried not to stare too obviously.

“Sorry…” Laurie mumbled, her eyes downcast.

“Laurie!” Rochelle clapped her hands, her voice warm and encouraging. “Come on, you look gorgeous! Get in here with us!”

Laurie’s cheeks flushed, but the genuine excitement in Rochelle’s tone gave her just enough courage to take a few careful steps toward the tub. She slid in, settling beside Yuwen without realizing it.

“See? You got it.” Taylor smiled, her voice filled with pride.

“Yeah… I guess I do.” Laurie’s shy smile tugged at her lips, but her arms stayed wrapped around her, still trying to cover herself.

Yuwen’s heart was pounding in his ears. Without even thinking, his hand brushed against hers underwater. It was a gentle touch, absentminded… but Laurie felt it instantly.

Her head snapped toward him, wide-eyed.

Yuwen blinked, realizing what he had done. His cheeks flushed as he quickly pulled his hand back, looking away with a shy, nervous expression.

Kai saw everything.

Her jaw dropped, eyes widening as she took it all in. But she forced herself to close her mouth, swallowing her emotions as her chest tightened.

“What happened, Kai?” Taylor glanced over, noticing her reaction.

Kai quickly masked her hurt, forcing a strained smile. “Nah… nothing.”

But it wasn’t nothing.

Laurie’s blush deepened from Yuwen’s touch, and for a split second, her gaze lingered on him longer than it should have.

Rochelle, lost in conversation with Tom, remained blissfully unaware of the growing tension.

Kai, however, felt her heart breaking. She loved Laurie… but watching this unfold was torture.

This… this isn’t gonna work for me.

But Kai wasn’t going to interfere. She loved Laurie too much to stand in the way of her happiness—even if it wasn’t with her.

She just wished it didn’t hurt so much.

Chapter 5: “ Torn Between Two. “

Summary:

After the chaotic sleepover, emotions are running high. Kai invites Laurie and Yuwen over to work on a science project, but things quickly get awkward as Laurie’s feelings for both of them become more obvious. Kai grows jealous as she notices Yuwen and Laurie getting closer

Monday Morning—Tension Rising

The school hallways buzzed with noise as usual—lockers slamming, shoes squeaking on the tile floor, and the occasional shout of someone running late to class. But for them? The air felt heavy.

Kai walked through the crowd, her AirPods in, hoping to tune everything out. But her mind wouldn’t stop racing. She glanced over at Laurie’s locker down the hall. Laurie stood there, laughing softly with Taylor, who was showing her something on her phone. Kai quickly looked away, her chest tightening. Relax. It’s fine.

Taylor, on the other hand, was trying her hardest not to glance at Yuwen, who was at his locker with Tom, talking about… whatever. She didn’t even know why her heart still flipped when she saw him. But when Yuwen finally looked her way, her breath caught in her throat.

Yuwen’s eyes met hers for half a second.

“Uh… hey,” he mumbled, barely above a whisper.

Taylor’s heart skipped. She froze for a second before shyly waving back, her cheeks turning pink. “Hi…”

Then, just like that, they both looked away.

Kai, witnessing the whole thing from a distance, felt her stomach sink. She hated that she still felt anything about it.

“Ugh, why am I even caring…” she mumbled under her breath, walking faster toward her locker.

—

Later that Day—After Science Class

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Kai gathered her things, her mind already wandering to the group project she was working on with Laurie. They had been paired up for their biology project, which was due next week. Spending that extra time with Laurie had been the only thing keeping Kai sane lately.

As she slung her bag over her shoulder, she heard Laurie’s soft voice behind her.

“Hey, Yuwen!”

Kai’s heart skipped a beat. She froze mid-step, pretending to check her phone as she eavesdropped.

Yuwen, who had been about to leave, turned around. His eyes met Laurie’s, and for some reason, he felt that stupid flip in his stomach again. “Oh… hey.”

Laurie smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I was thinking… maybe we could work on the science project after school?”

Kai’s stomach dropped.

Yuwen blinked. “Uh… yeah, sure.” He wasn’t even thinking. He just… said it.

Laurie’s face lit up, but then—

“Wait… oh!” Laurie’s smile faltered as she realized. Her eyes darted to Kai, who was standing nearby, her expression unreadable.

“Oh my gosh, I totally forgot…” Laurie’s voice softened. “Kai and I are already working on it.”

Kai forced a small smile, her tone light. “It’s fine. We can all work on it together if you want.”

Laurie’s eyes widened, guilt flashing across her face. “No, no, I didn’t mean to… I just forgot, that’s all.”

Kai shrugged, trying to act like it didn’t bother her. “Seriously, don’t worry about it. We’ll finish it at my place. You can come over after school.”

“Okay…” Laurie gave her a soft smile, but the guilt in her eyes didn’t disappear. “I’m really sorry, Kai. I didn’t mean to—”

“Laurie, it’s fine.” Kai cut her off gently, her smile still intact, but her heart? That was a different story.

Yuwen, standing there feeling incredibly awkward, rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh… I’ll see you guys later then.”

“Yeah… later,” Kai mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

As Yuwen walked away, Laurie turned back to Kai, her face full of concern.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Laurie asked softly.

Kai nodded, her smile never wavering. “I promise. Don’t stress about it.”

But deep down?

She hated how much it still hurt.

Lunch Period—Cafeteria Drama

The cafeteria was buzzing with noise—loud conversations, trays clattering, and the occasional shout from the basketball guys at the next table over.

Taylor plopped down beside Rochelle and Tom, dropping her tray with a sigh. Her eyes immediately darted toward Yuwen, who was sitting a few tables away with Laurie and Kai. They weren’t even talking, but just seeing him sitting near Laurie made her stomach flip.

“Ugh…” Taylor groaned, poking at her food.

“Uh oh,” Rochelle muttered, taking a sip of her drink. “Here we go…”

Tom glanced up from his pizza, brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Taylor muttered, her eyes still glued to Yuwen.

Tom followed her gaze. “Ohhh.” He smirked. “It’s about him, isn’t it?”

Taylor’s face immediately heated up. “No!” She looked away, trying to focus on literally anything else.

“Girl, please.” Rochelle raised an eyebrow. “You’re staring at him like he’s the last slice of pizza.”

“Am not…” Taylor mumbled, but she wasn’t exactly convincing.

Rochelle and Tom exchanged a look.

“Okay, spill,” Rochelle demanded, leaning in. “What’s going on now?”

Taylor hesitated for a moment before sighing, her defenses crumbling. “I don’t know… I just—ever since the sleepover, things have been weird between us.” She glanced at Yuwen again, her voice softer. “He barely talks to me. I mean… he said ‘hi’ this morning, and I almost passed out. What’s wrong with me?”

Tom wiped his mouth, then leaned in, looking way too serious. “Okay, hear me out,” he said, lowering his voice.

Rochelle blinked. “Oh boy…”

“Maybe…” Tom tilted his head dramatically. “You need to… ignore him.”

Taylor blinked. “What?”

Tom nodded like he just solved world hunger. “Yup. Ignore him. Make him think you’re over him. Play hard to get.” He smirked. “Boys love that.”

Rochelle stared at him. “Tom… what the hell are you talking about?”

“No, seriously.” Tom leaned back in his seat. “If she ignores him, he’ll realize what he’s missing and come crawling back. Trust me.”

Taylor stared at him, deadpan. “Tom.”

“Yeah?”

“That’s literally the dumbest advice I’ve ever heard.”

Rochelle snorted, covering her mouth as she burst into laughter. “Bro… WHAT?!”

Even Taylor couldn’t hold it in. She started laughing so hard her sides hurt.

“Wait, wait!” Tom threw his hands up. “I’m serious! It works in movies!”

“Tom,” Rochelle wiped a tear, trying to catch her breath. “This is real life, not Clueless.”

“Okay, okay! What’s your genius advice then?” Tom crossed his arms, pouting.

Rochelle’s face immediately shifted, her expression going serious. “Oh, I got this.” She cracked her knuckles, eyes narrowing. “Here’s what you do.”

Taylor leaned in, suddenly curious.

“You go up to him,” Rochelle began, her voice low and intense, “and you ask him what the hell is going on. Straight up. No games, no ignoring. Just be real.”

Tom blinked. “That’s it?”

“Yup.” Rochelle nodded. “And if he doesn’t give you a straight answer…”

Rochelle’s face hardened, her eyes narrowing with pure chaos.

“You uppercut him.”

“ROCHELLE.” Taylor’s eyes widened, but she was laughing again.

“What?!” Rochelle threw her hands up. “Violence solves confusion sometimes!”

Taylor was dying now, clutching her stomach as she tried to breathe. “Oh my God… I can’t.”

Tom shook his head, still pouting. “I mean… ignoring him sounded safer.”

“Safer?!” Rochelle raised an eyebrow. “For who?!”

The three of them burst into laughter again, the tension finally easing as Taylor felt some of the weight lift off her shoulders.

“Okay… okay,” Taylor wiped her eyes, trying to calm down. “I’ll just… talk to him.”

“Good.” Rochelle smirked. “But if he breaks your heart…”

“Yeah, yeah.” Taylor grinned, rolling her eyes. “I’ll keep the uppercut as plan B.”

“Damn right.” Rochelle fist-bumped her.

Tom just shook his head, muttering under his breath. “My advice was better..”

—

After School—Kai’s New Place (Her dad made enough money and more to get their own place, moving out of her grandma’s)

Kai leaned against her locker, texting her dad before heading out.

Kai: “Hey, Dad. Laurie and Yuwen are coming over to work on the project.”

Dad: “That’s cool. I’m in my office, just keep it down. No wild parties.”

Kai rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Kai: “Dad, it’s literally a history project 💀.”

Dad: “Still. I know how y’all get.”

Kai shook her head, chuckling softly.

Kai: “Love you, Dad.”

Dad: “Love you too, kid.”

Kai shoved her phone in her bag, her smile fading as she spotted Laurie and Yuwen waiting for her by the school entrance.

Okay… play it cool.

“Ready?” she asked, her voice casual, but her stomach was already doing somersaults.

“Yup.” Yuwen nodded, adjusting his bag.

Laurie smiled softly. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

The walk to her place was quiet, a little too quiet. The awkward tension was already starting to build, and Kai had a bad feeling it was only going to get worse.

—

Kai’s Place

Kai opened the door, stepping aside to let Yuwen and Laurie in.

“This is your new place!? Sick.” Yuwen grinned, giving Kai a high five before walking in.

“Oh… uh… you can go first, Laurie.” Yuwen’s voice softened, giving her a small, almost shy smile.

Laurie blinked, surprised. “Are you… sure?” Her cheeks flushed slightly.

“Of course.” Yuwen took a step back, motioning for her to go ahead.

Laurie’s eyes sparkled as she glanced at Yuwen, her smile growing as she stepped inside.

Kai’s eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening slightly. What was that? She blinked, trying to brush it off. Maybe Yuwen was just… being polite? Yeah, that had to be it.

“You can go too, Kai,” Yuwen added casually.

Kai raised a brow. “It’s my house…” she muttered under her breath, walking inside.

Laurie glanced around, her MacBook clutched tightly in her hands. “So… where are we gonna work?”

“Preferably up in my room.” Kai stuffed her hands into her pockets, avoiding eye contact with either of them.

“Race y’all to the top!” Yuwen suddenly yelled, sprinting toward the stairs.

“Really!?” Kai rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laughing as she chased after him.

Laurie giggled, trailing behind them. “Wait! Guys!”

—

Kai’s Room

“I win!!” Yuwen was out of breath, leaning against the wall dramatically. “Your stairs are too high…”

“Second…” Kai flopped onto her bed, groaning.

Laurie limped in, panting and already sweating. She dropped to the floor beside them. “Okay… I’m never doing that again.”

“Loser.” Yuwen smirked, playfully nudging her.

Laurie stuck her tongue out, but her cheeks turned pink when she realized how close she was sitting to him. She scooted back slightly, her eyes flickering to Kai, who was silently watching.

Kai took off her hoodie, tossing it aside and sitting beside Yuwen on the floor. “Alright, let’s do this.”

—

The Project Begins

The three of them dove into researching their 10th-grade science project—something about the greenhouse effect and its impact on ecosystems. Laurie pulled out her MacBook while Kai jotted down notes, and Yuwen skimmed through articles, occasionally pointing out useful information.

It was going smoothly… until it wasn’t.

Laurie reached for a pencil just as Yuwen did, their hands brushing.

“Oh—sorry!” Laurie pulled her hand back, her cheeks flushing.

“No, no—it’s fine!” Yuwen chuckled, but his face was just as red.

They locked eyes for a second too long, and both quickly looked away, laughing it off like it was nothing.

Kai noticed.

Her grip on her pencil tightened, but she forced herself to focus on the MacBook. Don’t think about it. Just work.

—

An Hour Later…

“Okay, but you already typed that part!” Kai laughed, nudging Laurie gently as they argued playfully over the document.

“No, I didn’t!” Laurie insisted, her elbow accidentally slamming down on the keyboard.

A series of ‘q’s flooded the Google Doc.

“Laurie!” Kai yelped, eyes widening.

“Wait—what?” Laurie stared in horror as the page filled with nonsense.

“GUYS!” Yuwen’s eyes widened as he saw the chaos unfolding. He pushed them both aside, his fingers flying across the keyboard. “You’re ruining it!”

The three of them screamed as they watched more lines disappear.

“STOP SCREAMING!” Yuwen shouted, quickly undoing the damage and restoring the document.

Silence.

Yuwen exhaled deeply, leaning back as he wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. “Crisis averted…”

Laurie blinked. “I… I didn’t know that button could do that.”

Kai groaned, burying her face in her hands. “You two are gonna give me a heart attack.”

Yuwen snorted. “Well, maybe if y’all stopped fighting over who gets to type…”

Laurie giggled softly, her eyes meeting Yuwen’s for a brief moment before glancing away.

Kai noticed.

—

After the Project

“Finally!” Yuwen stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied groan. “We’re done. That was way too much work.”

“Tell me about it.” Kai sighed, closing the MacBook and leaning back on her bed.

Laurie rubbed her eyes, yawning softly. “We did good, though… I think.”

“Eh, we’ll pass.” Yuwen smirked, throwing a crumpled piece of paper at Kai, who dodged it effortlessly.

Kai grinned. “Okay, now that we’re done… TikTok?”

Laurie’s eyes lit up. “Ooh! Yes!”

“Bet.” Yuwen grabbed his phone, already opening the app.

—

 

The three of them stood in front of Kai’s mirror, trying to sync up to the latest trending dance.

“Wait—wait! I don’t know this part!” Laurie laughed, her movements completely offbeat.

“Laurie, we’ve been doing this for like ten minutes!” Kai groaned, trying not to laugh.

“Okay, okay! One more time!” Laurie bit her lip, her face determined.

Yuwen pressed record again. “Alright… three, two—”

They all started moving, but Laurie tripped over her own foot mid-spin.

“Ahh—!”

Her feet slipped, and she tilted dangerously to the side.

“Whoa—gotcha!”

Yuwen’s reflexes kicked in, and he caught Laurie just before she hit the floor.

Laurie’s eyes went wide, her face inches from Yuwen’s.

They both froze for a second, then burst into laughter.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” Laurie giggled, her face flushed as she straightened herself.

“Nah, I got you.” Yuwen grinned, brushing it off like it was nothing.

Kai’s heart dropped.

She was still recording. The phone was in her hand. But her grip tightened as she watched them—Laurie’s laugh blending with Yuwen’s, the way he looked at her like she was the funniest person in the world.

Kai’s smile faded.

Without thinking, she stopped the video.

“Uh… it didn’t record right.” Kai lied, her voice quieter than usual.

Yuwen blinked. “Huh? Wait, for real?”

“Damn…” Laurie pouted. “But I finally learned the dance!”

“Yeah…” Kai’s jaw clenched, forcing a tight smile. “Finally.”

She tossed the phone onto her bed, standing up. “I’ll be right back.”

Yuwen and Laurie exchanged confused looks as Kai disappeared into the hallway.

Laurie tilted her head. “Is she okay?”

Yuwen’s brows furrowed, his eyes lingering where Kai had left. “I… don’t know.”

—

Kai stood in the hallway, her back against the wall as she took a few deep breaths. Her chest was tight, her mind racing. She hated this feeling—the jealousy, the ache in her stomach that wouldn’t go away.

Laurie liked Yuwen. It was obvious now. And maybe Yuwen liked her back.

“Why did I think I had a chance…” Kai whispered, her jaw clenched.

She stayed there longer than she should have, but eventually, she forced herself to walk back into her room, her face blank, emotionless.

Yuwen and Laurie were still sitting on her bed, talking softly, their laughter echoing in her ears.

“Hey…” Kai’s voice cut through the room, her tone a little too cold.

Laurie and Yuwen both looked up, noticing the shift in her expression immediately.

“What’s wrong?” Laurie asked, her smile fading.

Kai avoided her eyes, crossing her arms. “Uh… my dad just texted.” She looked down at her phone, even though the screen was black. “He wants you guys to leave. Says it’s getting late.”

Yuwen blinked. “Wait… already? But it’s not even—”

“Yeah.” Kai cut him off, her voice firm. “He’s got work early tomorrow. He doesn’t want anyone over too long.”

Laurie’s brows furrowed, clearly confused. “Oh… okay. I mean, I guess that makes sense.”

“Yeah…” Yuwen stood up, grabbing his jacket. He glanced at Kai, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Alright, no problem.”

Laurie stood too, still looking concerned. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

Kai’s fake smile returned, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Okay…” Laurie’s voice was hesitant, but she didn’t push it.

The three of them walked toward the door, the silence heavier than it should’ve been.

“Thanks for having us,” Yuwen mumbled, his tone quieter than usual.

“Yeah… thanks, Kai.” Laurie gave her a small smile, but it didn’t feel as bright as before.

“Anytime.” Kai forced a nod, her grip tightening on the door.

As they stepped outside, Kai barely waited for them to get down the steps before shutting the door behind them.

The second the door clicked shut, Kai’s mask fell.

Her eyes burned, but she refused to let the tears fall.

“Stupid…” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Her hands balled into fists at her sides.

“Why’d I think… I could ever be more than just her friend?”

But deep down, she already knew the answer.

Because she wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, Laurie could love her back.

But that hope was slipping away.

And it hurt.

—

Laurie stood outside Kai’s house, her arms wrapped around herself as the cool evening breeze brushed against her skin. Her mind was spinning. Something about the way Kai acted felt… off.

“She’s definitely upset…” Laurie murmured under her breath, her brows furrowing as she stared at the ground.

“Yo…” Yuwen’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Hm?” Laurie glanced up, meeting his eyes.

Yuwen shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Uh… your dad’s still working, right?”

“Yeah…” Laurie sighed, her shoulders slumping. “He said he’d be back late.”

Yuwen nodded, his gaze softening. “Wanna come hang out at my place for a bit? My mom’s probably making something good for dinner.”

Laurie blinked, her lips parting slightly. “Oh… are you sure? I don’t wanna intrude or anything.”

“C’mon,” Yuwen chuckled, giving her a playful nudge with his elbow. “You’re not intruding. Besides… it’s better than standing out here alone, right?”

Laurie hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing against the strap of her bag. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Okay… yeah. That sounds nice.”

Yuwen grinned, already leading the way to his car. He opened the passenger door for her, gesturing dramatically. “M’lady.”

Laurie giggled, shaking her head as she climbed in. “Such a gentleman.”

Yuwen laughed, shutting the door behind her before jogging around to the driver’s side. He slid in, starting the engine.

The drive was quiet at first, the only sound coming from the low hum of the radio. But it wasn’t an awkward silence—it was… comfortable.

Laurie’s eyes wandered to the passing streetlights, her mind still swirling with thoughts about Kai. She felt guilty. Did I do something wrong?

“You okay?” Yuwen glanced at her, his voice soft.

Laurie snapped out of her thoughts, giving him a quick nod. “Yeah… just thinking.”

“About?”

Laurie opened her mouth to speak, but… she stopped herself. Instead, she shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

Yuwen didn’t push. “Alright… but if you ever wanna talk…”

Laurie smiled softly. “Thanks, Yuwen.”

“Anytime.”

The rest of the drive was filled with light conversation and soft laughter. Laurie’s heart felt a little lighter, but deep down, a part of her couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling about Kai.

(Yuwen learned to drive when he turned 16)

—

At Taylor’s House

Taylor was sprawled out on her bed, one leg hanging off the side as her thumb lazily scrolled through TikTok. The soft glow from her phone illuminated her face in the dimly lit room.

She wasn’t really paying attention—just mindlessly liking and skipping videos. But then…

Taylor blinked.

Kai’s username flashed across the screen

The video played—Kai, Laurie, and Yuwen were in Kai’s room, laughing as they tried (and failed) to stay in sync with the dance. Laurie was adorably out of rhythm, her arms flailing slightly behind the beat.

Taylor snorted, covering her mouth to muffle her laughter. “Classic Laurie…”

But then… her smile faded.

Yuwen was right next to Laurie. And when she slipped, Yuwen caught her.

Taylor’s eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening.

The way they looked at each other… the way they laughed afterward, their cheeks slightly flushed…

Her stomach dropped.

No…

Her thumb hovered over the screen as she watched it again. And again.

How could she…?

“Laurie…” Taylor mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her best friend. And her ex.

Her eyes burned, her vision becoming blurry as she tried to fight the sting of tears. Her chest tightened, the familiar ache of heartbreak creeping in.

Why would she like Yuwen?

Does Yuwen… like her too?

Taylor’s mind raced with a million thoughts, her throat tightening as she tried to swallow down the emotions threatening to spill over.

But before she could completely spiral…

“Taylor?”

A small, soft voice came from the doorway.

She quickly wiped her eyes, sitting up and looking toward the door.

Ira stood there, his tiny frame silhouetted by the dim hallway light. He rubbed his eyes sleepily, clutching his favorite stuffed animal—a worn-out little penguin.

“Goodnight, Tay-Tay,” he murmured, his voice groggy but sweet.

Taylor’s heart melted instantly.

A shaky breath left her lips as she smiled softly. “Goodnight, Ira.”

Ira shuffled over, wrapping his arms around her waist in a sleepy hug.

Taylor held him tight, her emotions calming as the warmth of his hug soothed her.

“Love you,” he mumbled into her shirt.

“Love you too, buddy.”

And just like that… the ache in her chest eased a little.

—

Kai and Rochelle’s Texts

Contact Name: Ro 🤍

Kai: Bro, I can’t anymore.

Rochelle: ??? What happened now??

Kai: It’s Laurie.

Rochelle: …Oh. What about her?

Kai: She likes Yuwen.

Rochelle: 😐

Kai: I mean… I don’t know for sure, but I feel it. She looks at him differently… and he looks at her like that too.

Kai: They were all giggly and blushing earlier… and when we were doing TikToks, she slipped and Yuwen caught her…

Rochelle: Nah. You’re kidding.

Kai: I wish I was.

Rochelle: 😤😤😤

Kai: Bro, I don’t even know what to do anymore. I like her so much, and I thought maybe she felt something for me too. But now? I feel like a third wheel

Rochelle: …

Kai: Rochelle?

Rochelle: OH, HELL NO.

Rochelle: I swear if I see Yuwen tomorrow, I’m putting him in a headlock.

Kai: RO 😭

Rochelle: No, because how is he out here making BOTH of my friends fall for him?? Like, dude ain’t even that cute.

Rochelle: But fr, Kai. You don’t deserve this. You’ve been crushing on Laurie forever. And now she’s out here giggling with Yuwen like you’re invisible??

Kai: It’s not her fault though… I just wish I knew where I stood with her.

Rochelle: Nah, I get it… but damn. This is messed up.

Kai: I just… I feel like I’m losing her.

Rochelle: You’re not losing her, Kai. If Laurie’s too blind to see what she’s got right in front of her… that’s on her.

Kai: I don’t wanna give up on her, Ro.

Rochelle: I know. But I’m not gonna let you sit around and get hurt. If this keeps up… I’m stepping in.

Kai: Stepping in how??

Rochelle: Don’t worry about that. 😈

Kai: RO…

Rochelle: Trust me. I got you.

Kai: …Why does that make me more nervous than Yuwen catching Laurie? 😭

Rochelle: 🤷🏽‍♀️ You’ll see.

Kai: Oh lord.

Rochelle: Just hang tight, Kai. I’m not letting this slide.

Kai: Thanks, Ro. For real.

Rochelle: Always. 🤍

Chapter 6: “ Confession. “

Summary:

Taylor confronts Laurie for flirting with Yuwen, causing tension to erupt within the friend group.

Notes:

the day the music.. died

The next day at school, things within the friend group had only gotten worse.

—

Kai and Rochelle’s Messages

Contact Name: Ro 🤍

Kai: Yo, Roch?

Rochelle: Yea?

Kai: Can you do me a favor?

Rochelle: Anything 💗

Kai: Can you ask Laurie what she thinks of Yuwen?

Rochelle: No problem lol

Kai: THANK YOU.

Rochelle: Anytime 🤍

—

Kai walked to school with a heavy feeling weighing her down. She felt a sharp sting of disappointment for Yuwen—his contact name now just “Yuwen,” no longer “twin.” She couldn’t shake the sense of betrayal.

Her dreads fell loosely over her shoulders, unstyled and messy. She hated wearing them down, but today, she couldn’t bring herself to care. She didn’t feel like doing anything.

—

Rochelle caught up with Laurie in the hallways, her footsteps quick but steady.

“Hey, Laurie!” Rochelle called out, matching her pace.

“Oh, hey Rochelle!” Laurie’s tone brightened immediately, her nervousness momentarily easing as they walked together.

“So… uh, this might be random, but… how do you feel about Yuwen?” Rochelle asked, making sure to leave out any mention of Kai.

Laurie’s eyes widened, her face flushing with a mix of surprise and sudden unease. “Oh… uh—why, why do you ask?” she stammered, her cheeks heating up.

Rochelle didn’t miss the quick change in Laurie’s expression. She had clearly hit a nerve. “No reason, just curious…” Rochelle said with a nonchalant shrug, though her gaze stayed sharp.

Laurie hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag as she seemed to search for the right words. “Well… I think he’s changed. A little nicer, maybe? I don’t really know. I mean, maybe it’s just a small crush, but I don’t think it’ll go anywhere…” She let out a small sigh, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

Rochelle’s mind raced. Laurie was crushing on Yuwen? It was unexpected, to say the least, and she hated it. Both of her best friends liked a complete idiot

Rochelle forced a smile, despite feeling somewhat appalled. She didn’t want to break Laurie’s trust, but Kai was expecting answers, and she had to keep her word.

“Oh, of course… your secret’s safe with me,” Rochelle blinked, hoping her expression didn’t betray her thoughts.

Laurie’s shoulders visibly relaxed at that, and she flashed Rochelle a grateful smile. “Thanks, Roch. I’ll catch up with you later!” She turned quickly, heading into her class.

The bell rang just as Rochelle stood there, processing everything. She glanced at her phone—crap, she was late.

Her thoughts were still swirling as she dashed down the hallway, guilt gnawing at her. She didn’t like keeping secrets, but she had promised.

—

Rochelle stepped into class, the door squeaking slightly as she slid in. Before Mr. Jenkins could even open his mouth to scold her, she spoke up, already rolling her eyes. “I know, I know… Mr. Jenkins, I won’t be late again.”

He shot her a stern look, but just as she expected, he didn’t have time to argue. He nodded, and Rochelle quickly made her way to her seat next to Kai.

“So… anything?” Kai asked, her voice low as she tilted her head toward Rochelle, her gaze eager.

Rochelle hesitated for a moment, waiting until Mr. Jenkins turned his back to the board, then leaned in closer, speaking quietly. “Uh… she said she has a small crush on Yuwen, but she doesn’t see it turning into a relationship.” She paused, glancing at Kai’s face. “But I don’t know… I just have this feeling it’s gonna make things more complicated.”

Kai’s expression shifted, her lips curling into a small smile, but it wasn’t quite happy. “Thank you so much, Rochelle.” There was a glimmer of hope in her voice, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Rochelle smiled back, a little relieved. She loved helping out her friends, even if it meant walking a fine line between honesty and protecting their feelings. “Anytime.”

—

After class, Taylor wasn’t in the best mood. She hadn’t had time to properly get ready, so she was wearing a black hoodie and leggings, looking as disheveled as she felt.

Tom caught up to her in the hallway, his footsteps quick as he matched her pace. “Hey… are you okay?”

Taylor nodded, though it wasn’t convincing. “I guess.”

Tom let out a quiet sigh, his eyes softening with concern. “Is this about Yuwen?”

Taylor stopped for a moment, her shoulders slumping. “Unfortunately… I want to be over him so bad. But he’s changed. I… I mean, I don’t know. He acts like he wants me too, but then next thing I know, he’s all over Laurie!”

Tom frowned, walking beside her. “You’re an amazing girl, Taylor. If he doesn’t see that, then there’s something seriously wrong with him. He’s deadass wrong for messing with two people.”

Taylor’s heart fluttered at his words, warmth spreading through her chest. She couldn’t help the blush that crept up her cheeks. “Aww, thanks, Tom.”

“No problem,” he said with a small smile, before pulling her into a hug. Taylor sighed, feeling the weight of everything lift slightly as she rested her head on his chest.

Tom blinked, looking down at her. “Uh… you gonna pull away anytime soon?”

Taylor shook her head slightly, her voice muffled against him. “Just a second. I need this.”

Tom didn’t say anything more, just standing there and letting her hold onto the comfort she needed.

—

The group gathered at lunch, sitting at their usual spot in the cafeteria. Tom sat next to Rochelle, while Yuwen was beside Laurie. Taylor, looking like she’d had a rough morning, dragged herself to the table. The moment the girls saw her, their expressions shifted from casual chatter to concern.

“Are you okay?” Rochelle asked, her voice gentle but worried as she eyed Taylor’s exhausted face.

“what happened?” Laurie chimed in, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “You look like you didn’t even sleep last night.”

Taylor forced a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine, just… not feeling great, that’s all.”

Before anyone could respond, Kai’s voice cut through the tension, sharp as always. “I don’t buy it. What happened, Taylor?”

Taylor sighed, dropping her head onto her hands, her face hidden in her arms for a moment. “Yuwen…” she started, but the frustration in her voice was clear. “He’s been acting so… I don’t even know. One second, he’s all over me, making me think he still cares, and then the next, he’s all over Laurie like I don’t even matter.” Her voice cracked on the last part, the weight of it hitting her harder than she expected.

The table fell silent for a moment, the air thick with tension. Rochelle exchanged a glance with Tom, who shifted uncomfortably beside her. Yuwen, who had been casually eating his lunch, suddenly froze, his eyes flicking to Taylor.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, his voice low but defensive.

Taylor looked up at him, her eyes fiery. “You know exactly what I mean, Yuwen. You’ve been leading me on, acting like you want me, and then you go and—”

Laurie cut her off, her voice almost frantic. “Wait, Taylor, no, that’s not what—”

But it was too late. Taylor stood up abruptly, her hands shaking. “It’s fine, Laurie. Let him explain himself. Go ahead, Yuwen. Tell me I’m wrong.”

Yuwen stood up, his face a mixture of frustration and guilt. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Taylor. I just… I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Then stop playing with people’s feelings!” Taylor snapped, her voice rising, catching the attention of others in the cafeteria. “I don’t need someone like you in my life anymore.”

Laurie’s eyes darted between them, her face pale, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak. Rochelle looked at Kai, who was tense, but the quiet fury in her eyes made it clear she wasn’t backing down either.

Tom stood up, stepping between Taylor and Yuwen, his voice calm but firm. “That’s enough, Taylor. Yuwen, I get it. You’re confused, but don’t drag people down with you.”

 

Taylor’s chest heaved, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. But instead of looking at Yuwen, her eyes darted straight to Laurie.

“And you…” Taylor’s voice was quieter this time, but the anger was unmistakable. “You knew how I felt about him, Laurie.” Her eyes narrowed, her expression shifting from hurt to betrayal. “And you’re still flirting with him?”

Laurie’s eyes went wide, her mouth opening slightly, but no words came out.

“Taylor…” Laurie’s voice was barely above a whisper, her face flushing red. “I wasn’t—”

“Don’t lie to me,” Taylor cut her off, her voice sharper now. “I’ve seen the way you act around him. The laughing, the touching, the little looks. And now you’re telling Rochelle you might have a crush on him?” Her tone dripped with disbelief, her eyes glassy as if she was holding back tears. “How could you do that to me?”

Laurie’s bottom lip quivered, her eyes darting to Yuwen for a split second—big mistake.

Taylor caught it.

“See?!” Taylor’s voice cracked, her emotions spilling over. “You can’t even deny it! You’re literally looking at him right now!”

“Taylor, it’s not like that,” Laurie pleaded, her voice shaky. “I—I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I swear.”

“Then what is it, Laurie?” Taylor’s eyes were filled with hurt, her words cutting deeper than she intended. “Because it sure looks like you’ve been waiting for me to be out of the picture.”

“Taylor, stop!” Yuwen finally spoke up, his tone desperate. “It’s not Laurie’s fault. Don’t blame her for—”

“Oh, of course, you’re defending her,” Taylor scoffed, her laugh bitter. “Figures.”

Laurie looked like she was about to cry, her hands shaking as she tried to form words. “I’m sorry, Taylor. I didn’t—”

“But you did.” Taylor’s voice softened for a moment, her eyes locking onto Laurie’s with pure disappointment. “You were supposed to be my friend.”

Laurie’s face crumbled, her eyes welling up with tears as she tried to blink them away.

The whole table sat in stunned silence. Rochelle looked like she wanted to disappear. Kai’s jaw was clenched so tight it looked like she might explode. Tom shifted uncomfortably, his eyes fixed on the table.

“Taylor…” Laurie whispered, her voice barely audible.

But Taylor didn’t say another word. She just grabbed her bag and walked away, leaving the cafeteria with her head down—

The silence that followed Taylor’s departure was suffocating. No one spoke. Laurie sat frozen, her face pale, eyes glossy with tears threatening to spill. Yuwen looked down, avoiding everyone’s gaze, guilt plastered all over his face.

Rochelle, however, was done.

She slowly stood up, her chair scraping against the tile. Her jaw clenched, her hands balled into fists at her sides. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but it didn’t work.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Yuwen?” Rochelle’s voice was low, but everyone at the table felt the heat behind it.

Yuwen looked up, his face unreadable. “Roch—”

“No.” Rochelle’s eyes burned as she cut him off, her tone sharper than ever. “You don’t get to talk right now.” Her glare was icy, her words slicing through the air. “Taylor didn’t deserve that. She loved you. And what did you do? String her along like she was just… an option? And for what? So you could turn around and mess with Laurie too?”

Yuwen opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He had nothing to say.

“Do you even get how messed up that is?” Rochelle’s voice rose, her anger spilling out. “You’re playing with people’s feelings like it’s some damn game! And now look at what you’ve done. You hurt Taylor, and you’ve dragged Laurie into this mess too.”

Laurie’s eyes dropped to the table, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Rochelle’s voice didn’t soften. “And Laurie…” Her tone was quieter now, but the disappointment was clear. She didn’t have to say much. One glance at Laurie was enough to say I expected better from you.

Laurie swallowed hard, her throat tightening as she tried not to cry.

“Unbelievable,” Rochelle muttered under her breath. She shook her head, her eyes full of frustration and sadness.

Without another word, Rochelle grabbed her bag, giving Yuwen one final disgusted look before turning back to Laurie.

“Good luck fixing this,” she muttered, her voice cold.. catching up with Taylor.

Kai, though… Kai was silent.

Too silent.

Her expression was blank, her face unreadable, but her hands clenched the edge of the table so tightly that her knuckles had gone white. Her mind was racing, emotions crashing into each other—anger, disappointment, sadness—but nothing came out.

She couldn’t even look at Yuwen. Or Laurie.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Kai stood up. Her chair scraped against the floor, louder than it should’ve been. Everyone looked up, but Kai’s face was distant, her eyes avoiding them all.

“I…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, her throat tight. She swallowed hard, her lips pressing together as if she was trying to hold everything back.

“I can’t…” Her voice cracked slightly, her gaze flickering to Laurie for a split second before she looked away. Her eyes didn’t even touch Yuwen.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, her tone hollow, almost like she was apologizing for something she couldn’t even put into words.

And just like that, Kai turned and walked away.

No outburst. No anger. Just… nothing.

But the silence she left behind was louder than anything she could’ve said.

The cafeteria felt like a battlefield after the dust had settled. The silence was deafening, and the weight of everything that had just unfolded pressed down on what was left of the group.

Tom sat there, his mind spinning as he replayed everything that had just happened. Rochelle had gone off, Kai had walked away without a word, and Taylor… she was long gone.

Tom’s eyes flickered to Yuwen, who still hadn’t said a word, and then to Laurie, who looked like she was seconds away from breaking down.

He opened his mouth, trying to find something—anything—to say that might fix this.

But nothing came.

What was he supposed to say? He wasn’t like Rochelle, who could call people out without hesitation. He wasn’t like Kai, who could walk away and make a statement without saying a word. And he definitely wasn’t like Taylor, who wore her heart on her sleeve and let her feelings out, no matter how raw they were.

Tom? He was just… Tom.

His mouth closed again, his lips pressing together as he let out a quiet sigh. The weight of the moment crushed any words he might’ve had.

He glanced around, realizing how awkward and out of place he felt. Like a bystander who didn’t belong in this mess.

“Yeah… I’m just gonna…” he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else.

Without another word, Tom stood up, his movements stiff and uneasy. His face flushed with embarrassment as he quickly grabbed his bag, eyes fixed on the floor.

As he walked away, his footsteps felt heavier than usual, echoing in the quiet cafeteria.

He didn’t look back.

The cafeteria felt hollow now, the chaos having left nothing but an eerie stillness. Yuwen sat there, his eyes locked on the table, avoiding the empty seats around him. His mind was a mess—everything had spiraled so fast, and now, he was left with nothing but guilt and confusion.

But then… his gaze slowly drifted to Laurie.

She was still sitting there, her head down, her fingers nervously picking at the hem of her sweater. Her eyes were red, her face flushed from holding back tears. She looked so… defeated.

Yuwen’s chest tightened. He hated seeing her like this.

“Laurie…” His voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

Laurie didn’t look up at first. She just blinked, staring down at her lap, as if she was bracing herself for whatever came next.

“Laurie,” Yuwen tried again, his voice steadier this time.

Her eyes slowly lifted, meeting his. There was so much uncertainty in her gaze—hurt, confusion, guilt—but she didn’t look away.

Yuwen took a breath, his heart pounding in his ears. His mind screamed at him that this was the worst possible time. That after everything that had just happened, this would only make things worse.

But the words left his mouth before he could stop them.

“Will you… be my girlfriend?”

“What…?”

Notes:

Yo, lmk if Tom should have tension with someone in the friendgroup bc idk what to do with him..

Chapter 7: “ Falling Apart.”

Summary:

The friendgroup isn’t so friendly !

(Mb I didn’t know what to put)

Notes:

Taylor will prolly piss y’all off

Laurie lay on her bed, face buried in her pillow as muffled sobs filled the quiet room. Her body trembled, her heart heavy with everything that had happened. She felt like she’d lost all her friends—and maybe, in a way, she had.

How did things get so messed up?

—

Earlier That Day

“So… what do you say?” Yuwen’s voice was hopeful, but his eyes betrayed the nerves he was trying to hide.

Laurie’s heart pounded. She bit her lip, her gaze darting to the floor. “Yuwen… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “But I’m not ready. I don’t know if I ever will be.”

She saw the flash of disappointment in his eyes before he masked it with a weak smile.

“It’s okay… I get it,” Yuwen said softly, but Laurie could tell it wasn’t okay.

—

Was that the right choice? Of course, it was.

Right?

Her thoughts swirled like a storm, doubt creeping in. Until—

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Laurie sat up abruptly, her vision blurry from the tears. She blinked rapidly, rubbing her eyes to clear her sight. Her heart dropped when she saw the name flashing on the screen.

“Kai ❤️‍🩹”

Kai?

Her stomach flipped. Without thinking, she answered, her voice shaky.

“Hello? Laurie?” Kai’s voice was soft, hesitant on the other end.

“I’m here…” Laurie mumbled, her throat still tight from crying.

“Oh… well, I just…” Kai’s tone shifted, more sincere now. “I wanted to apologize for leaving like that.”

Laurie’s heart clenched. “No… it’s okay—” she started but stopped herself, her voice cracking.

“No, I’m sorry,” Laurie murmured, her words coming out in a rush. “If I was… too weird or… I don’t know. I didn’t mean to—”

“Laurie, no. It wasn’t that.” Kai’s voice was quiet, almost unsure. “It’s… something else.”

Laurie’s eyebrows furrowed. “What is it?” she asked softly, her heart pounding again.

Kai sighed, a shaky breath. Laurie could sense the hesitation through the phone.

“I… I really like you, Laurie.”

…

Silence.

Laurie froze. Her breath caught in her throat. Her mind screamed a million things at once, but she couldn’t find the right words.

“Kai… I don’t know yet,” Laurie finally whispered, her voice barely holding together. “I’m sorry—everything just happened and…”

She trailed off, her throat tightening again.

Kai didn’t respond right away. Laurie could hear her breathing, could almost feel the hurt through the silence.

“No—no—it’s okay,” Kai’s voice was barely above a whisper now, cracking slightly. “Uh… see you tomorrow.”

And then—

Click.

Laurie stared at the screen as the call ended. Her heart dropped.

“No… wait…” she whispered, her lip quivering.

But it was too late.

Her phone slipped from her hands as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She curled back into her pillow, the ache in her chest unbearable.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

—

The hallways felt colder than usual. Everyone had given Laurie and Yuwen the cold shoulder. Rochelle didn’t want to, but she couldn’t bring herself to do anything else. She felt bad, but the tension was too much.

Laurie couldn’t stop crying. Her eyes were red, swollen. The weight of everything pressed on her, and she kept her hood up, hiding her face. She didn’t want anyone to see how broken she felt.

Kai stayed quiet, keeping her distance. She couldn’t talk to Laurie—not after what happened. She couldn’t talk to anyone. It hurt too much.

Taylor was furious, especially with Yuwen. After everything, after their talk, did it all mean nothing? Did he really just move on so easily with Laurie? Her frustration boiled inside her.

Tom was trying to fix everything. But he felt like he was failing. He didn’t know how to bring the group back together, no matter how hard he tried.

Yuwen was lost in his own mind. Why had he asked Laurie out? He didn’t even want a relationship right now. The guilt gnawed at him. He had lost Kai, his closest friend, and he had no idea she had feelings for Laurie.

Laurie wandered the hallways, eyes blurry from crying. She didn’t even know where she was going. She couldn’t focus. Everything was too much.

Tom spotted her. He knew she was probably an enemy to Taylor now, but he couldn’t just ignore her. Not when she was like this.

“Hey, Laurie. Are you okay?” he asked, brows furrowed in concern.

Laurie wiped her tears, trying to hold herself together. “Yeah, don’t worry,” she muttered, voice barely there.

Tom stopped her. “No, you’re not. You can talk to me. Really.”

Laurie’s lip trembled, and before she could stop it, she cried into his chest. Tom froze, caught off guard. But he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, gently pulling back. “Let’s keep walking, though. People will start staring.”

Tom glanced at the students walking past. But he didn’t care. Laurie needed him. That was all that mattered right now.

—

Kai walked through the halls, her expression completely blank. Inside, a storm was raging. She missed Yuwen. She missed how they used to talk, how everything felt easy. But anger kept bubbling up whenever she thought of him. How could he do that? How could he play with their feelings like that?

And then there was Laurie. Kai didn’t even know how to feel about her anymore. She loved her, of course. That would never go away, not after all these years. They’d been through so much together. But now? Now everything felt so complicated.

As she walked, she made sure to keep her distance from the group. She didn’t want to be near anyone right now.

Rochelle spotted her and rushed to catch up. “Kai… come on. Why are you ignoring me?”

Kai didn’t even look up, her voice low as she answered. “It’s too… much right now. I can’t.”

Rochelle tried again, more insistent this time. “Kai, what is the matter with you? Do you not wanna be friends? I’m trying to be here for you…”

Kai finally lifted her gaze, eyes cold. “I don’t want you ‘there’ right now. I need to be alone. You need to respect that. Go fight someone, your favorite hobby… right?”

Her words hit Rochelle like a punch to the gut. The sting of the harsh tone, the anger in her eyes, made her step back, speechless.

“What…?” Rochelle whispered, her voice faltering.

Kai didn’t wait for a response. She turned and walked away, leaving Rochelle standing in the hall, her heart racing.

Rochelle stood frozen for a moment, her brows furrowing in disbelief. Did she really just say that? The shock wore off, replaced by something much darker.

“She need to fight or something? Who the fuck does she think she is?” Rochelle muttered to herself, walking in the opposite direction, her mind already boiling with frustration.

—

In math class, the room was quiet except for the scribbling of pens on paper. Taylor and Rochelle sat in the front, the tension between them palpable. Laurie sat in the back, her eyes still red, staring blankly at her notes. She loved math, but today, it was impossible to focus.

“Kai was acting so weird today to me,” Rochelle muttered, leaning back in her chair and glancing at Taylor.

“Weird?.. how?” Taylor blinked, still writing down notes as she tried to pay attention.

“I was trying to be there for her, but she brushed me off. She literally said, ‘Go fight someone, your favorite hobby.’ Girl, what? Does she need to fight?” Rochelle crossed her arms tightly, her nails digging into her skin as she replayed the confrontation in her mind.

“Damn, she clocked you—sorry, sorry.” Taylor tried to suppress a laugh, but it slipped out anyway.

“But maybe she just wants to be alone. I mean, of course… she could’ve handled it better.” Taylor shrugged, glancing at her notes again.

“This drama pisses me off so bad,” Rochelle sighed, leaning back in her chair. She missed how things used to be, how simple everything felt before all of this.

“Don’t you love drama?” Taylor chuckled, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Not this kind. Over a boy? So dumb.” Rochelle adjusted her glasses, trying to shake off the frustration.

Taylor blinked, considering it. “I guess… yeah, it is stupid.”

Rochelle’s eyes narrowed. “But, I don’t like how Yuwen played with your feelings. I also don’t like how Laurie—“ Rochelle froze, suddenly realizing Laurie was in the same room.

Laurie, sitting quietly in the back, pulled her hood lower, hoping they wouldn’t notice her.

“What?” Taylor asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Laurie is here…” Rochelle mumbled, feeling her cheeks flush.

“Oh, I forgot.” Taylor’s voice dropped, and she visibly cringed, not even wanting to hear Laurie’s name right now.

Laurie stayed silent, the shame weighing heavy on her.

—

At lunch, the group scattered, not sitting together anymore. Laurie sat by herself with Tom, who tried his best to comfort her.

Taylor, Rochelle, and the rest of Taylor’s girl group sat together, but there was an empty space where Yuwen usually sat. He didn’t show up to lunch.

Kai sat with her other friends, but her mind was elsewhere. She wasn’t really socializing.

“I can’t believe Tom is over there. Laurie is one of the opp’s,” Taylor scoffed, glancing toward the pair.

“I feel bad for Laurie… Maybe she didn’t even know this was happening,” Rochelle sighed, looking over at Laurie, her gaze softening a little.

“Are you serious? You’re on her side?” Taylor’s voice rose, her surprise clear. The rest of the girls chuckled.

“I mean, I don’t like her flirting with your ex, but she said she wouldn’t be in a relationship,” Rochelle shrugged, trying to stay neutral.

Taylor’s eye twitched. “How do you know? She could be lying.”

“Taylor, you’ve been acting really mean lately,” Rochelle said, shaking her head in disappointment.

“Mean!? You’re the one fighting with people left and right, up and down,” Taylor snapped, clearly annoyed.

“Are you serious!? It was one person, and you all are making it a big deal. You know what? I’m literally done. Fuck you and your minions,” Rochelle shot back, standing up abruptly and leaving the table.

Taylor watched her leave, her eyes softening. She didn’t know what to think anymore. She had nobody now—well, except for her girl group. But was that enough?

—

After school, things only seemed to get worse.

Rochelle quickly sent Kai a message, her fingers trembling with uncertainty.

Rochelle: Kai, I’m sorry.

But the message didn’t go through. It remained stuck, unsent.

Rochelle: Kai!?

She stared at the screen, disbelief flooding her mind. What the fuck… she thought, feeling her chest tighten.

At home, Kai made the decision. She blocked the entire friend group. She couldn’t handle the constant drama anymore, couldn’t handle herself for not doing anything sooner. The weight of the situation was too much. She needed space—needed to be alone.

Laurie, on the other hand, was crushed. She sobbed for hours, convinced that Kai hated her, even though she didn’t know what to do to fix it. She couldn’t stop crying, her heart breaking with every passing moment.

Yuwen had expected this. He’d stayed home from school, guilt gnawing at him. He didn’t know if he could face anyone, especially not after everything he’d done. He wasn’t even sure if he could ever go back.

Taylor didn’t even try to text Kai. She was unaware of the situation, wrapped up in her own mess, too confused to reach out.

Tom was left with an overwhelming sense of disappointment, unsure if he was the cause of it all, wondering if he’d done something wrong. It felt like no one knew what to do anymore.

—

Rochelle and Laurie’s messages

Contact Name: laur-laur 💛

Rochelle: hey, Laurie..

Laurie: Hi

Rochelle: I’m sorry for everything.

Laurie: it’s okay, I’m sorry too.

Rochelle: we cool?

Laurie: of course!!

Notes:

I wrote Taylor’s personality yet she piss me off

Chapter 8: “ Unforgettable Party. “

Summary:

It’s finally the weekend, The group of “friends” all independently decide to go to a party, each for their own reasons.

For the next week, the group distanced themselves. Some were angry, some shy or afraid, and others just didn’t care. Taylor buried herself in TikTok and her home life, trying to forget about her friends. She was still mad at Yuwen, but didn’t want to be.

Rochelle, still angry at Taylor for her ignorance, focused on her grades and attendance. She couldn’t understand how Taylor walked through the halls like she wasn’t the source of the problem. But Rochelle realized it wasn’t just Taylor—it was her too. She didn’t know what to feel about Yuwen anymore.

Laurie was an emotional mess. She got over Yuwen, but not for Kai. She wanted to speak to Kai, but couldn’t summon the courage.

Yuwen still went to school, forced by his mom. He walked with confidence, pretending nothing bothered him, but inside, he missed Kai deeply.

Kai started to care less. She missed the old days with Laurie and Yuwen, but the drama had turned into a fog. She used TikTok to cope, the noise distracting her from the pain.

Tom, though, never gave up. He showed up at everyone’s houses and texted them, acting as their therapist. Despite struggling with his own home life, where his parents were barely ever around, he kept trying to hold the group together.

—

The TikTok beef between Taylor and Rochelle got out of hand. Their reposts subtly attacking each other and anonymously calling each other out became an ongoing thing.

One day, Rochelle posted a GRWM video, rolling her eyes as she began: “Get ready with me while I talk about this girl…” Taylor, clearly pissed, fired back with a post: “All these hoes be hating on me but never wanna fight me, one just ran up—”

Of course, that TikTok blew up. People were buzzing, trying to figure out who they were beefing with. Despite everything, both secretly cared for each other, but their anger kept them from admitting it, leaving the public to guess who the posts were about.

⸻

Tom sat on his bed after school, a Friday. He hated the weekends, the silence too loud without his friend group. They were his only source of happiness. Without them, he felt like he couldn’t go on. High school had never been easy for him—he didn’t make many friends, and now, losing the group felt like losing everything. His parents weren’t there to support him. They were hardly home, and when they were, they didn’t notice how much he struggled. He had learned to rely on himself, to cook and take care of everything, and for a while, he convinced himself that he was okay. He didn’t need anyone. But the truth? He didn’t think he was good enough. His grades were slipping, he wasn’t in any advanced classes, and he always needed help in class. He longed for someone to talk to, but that seemed like an impossible wish.

⸻

Laurie had fallen into a depression without her friends. Her parents’ divorce made everything harder. Moving between their houses felt like an endless loop, leaving her numb. Packing her bags to go to her father’s for the weekend, she couldn’t help but feel resentful. She hated how things had turned out. Her mom, obsessed with gemstones and their supposed mystical powers, didn’t even notice how much Laurie needed her.

“You ready, hun?” her mom called, as Laurie sluggishly picked up her bag.

“Yea.” Laurie’s voice was dry, devoid of any energy.

Her mom always tried to comfort her, but it felt like she loved her gemstones more than she loved her daughter.

⸻

Rochelle sat beside her mom on the couch, venting about everything—school, the group, and the drama. She just couldn’t wrap her head around how things had gotten so messed up.

“Ay dios mío… teenage drama,” Vanessa sighed. “I’ve been through it all. You’ll work it out eventually. Just stop instigating and stop letting this drama hurt you.”

“I know, mom,” Rochelle groaned. “But I don’t see us being friends again. I miss middle school.”

Vanessa hugged her tightly, trying to ease her pain. “Honestly, this feels like a chaotic mix of miscommunication, unresolved feelings, and pride. You’re all dealing with your own stuff, and instead of confronting it, it’s just making everything worse. You all have a lot to learn.”

Frank chimed in, his tone slightly amused. “Do something to take your mind off of the drama.”

Rochelle wiped her eyes. “Yeah. It’ll be good for me to get my mind off of it.” She didn’t know why she was crying. She had always been taught to be strong, but right now, it felt like everything was falling apart.

“I always worry about her,” Frank sighed.

Vanessa nodded, watching her daughter retreat upstairs. “Welcome to my world.”

⸻

Yuwen sat at his kitchen table eating chips, scrolling through TikTok. He came across a video from Taylor, a hate-filled post about Rochelle. It stung. He saw how much she had changed—no longer the upbeat person he used to know. She was closed off now, angry, bitter. And it hurt to admit it, but so was he. He couldn’t help but think about the mess he had made. He asked out Laurie in the midst of the chaos, which only made things worse.

He almost cried, feeling the weight of everything. His original goal had been to get Taylor back, but now, that seemed impossible. He wasn’t even going to try anymore. He had messed everything up, and there was no fixing it. He felt empty, like something important was missing.

His mom tried to cheer him up, but nothing worked. He missed the days when things were simpler, when he and Kai used to have each other’s backs above everything. Now, everything had changed, and he didn’t know how to go on.

⸻

Taylor was in her bed, aimlessly scrolling through TikTok, addicted to watching her likes add up. She had fallen deep into the trap of validation, unable to stop. But then, she paused, her phone slipping from her hand. What had she done?

Ira came into her room, showing off his game progress. “Taylor, look at my blox fruits level—”

“I don’t care, Ira! Get out!” Taylor snapped, instantly regretting it.

Ira flinched, lowering his iPad. “I was—never mind,” he muttered, walking away.

Taylor flinched, her chest tightening. Why did she say that?

She groaned, getting up and walking to Ira’s room. “Ira, I’m sorry,” she apologized, her voice soft.

“No… You’re clearly in the middle of something. I’m sorry,” Ira replied.

“No, I’m sorry. I pushed you away. I would love to see your game,” Taylor said, sitting beside him on his bed.

Ira’s eyes lit up, “Really!?”

“Really.” Taylor managed a weak smile.

⸻

The entire friend group, despite everything that had happened, ended up at the same party. It wasn’t planned—none of them knew they’d all show up. But somehow, they found themselves checking their phones at the exact same moment, scrolling through their feeds and spotting an invite to a local high school party. Almost half the school was going, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get their minds off the drama, even if they didn’t realize they’d all end up there.

⸻

Kai and her father’s messages
Contact Name: dad 🖤

Kai: Hey, dad
Father: Yes, baby?
Kai: Can I go to a party today?
Father: Yea, just text me when you get there. Keep your location on.
Kai: Okay!
Father: Love you 💝
Kai: Love u too 💓💓

⸻

Rochelle rushed downstairs, her heart pounding with excitement.
“Can I go to a party?” she asked, hopping between Frank and Vanessa.

Vanessa blinked, glancing at Frank. She always felt weird about Rochelle going to parties, remembering her own traumatic experience at that age.
“Yea, just be safe. Text me when you get there and when you’re leaving,” Vanessa smiled, giving in.

“No boys!” Frank frowned, arms crossed.
Rochelle chuckled, hugging her guardians. “I’ll be okay! I promise! And I will, mom.”

⸻

“A party?” Ms. Wang raised an eyebrow at Yuwen.
“Mhm…” Yuwen hummed, nodding.
“Well, of course. Just please be safe, okay?”
“I will,” he assured her, his tone a little softer.

⸻

Tom didn’t ask his parents—he never really did. They were never there for him in a parental way, so it didn’t even cross his mind. Instead, he simply got ready for the party.

⸻

“Taylor, absolutely not! Your teacher says your grades are going down!” Taylor’s mom yelled.
“Mom! You’re so overdramatic. I’ve got it under control!” Taylor snapped back, frustration building.

“Who are you talking to?! You’re not going,” her mom shot back, slamming her hands on the table.
Taylor sighed, taking a step back. “You can’t tell me what to do…”

“Yes, I can. I am your mother!”
Ira heard the arguing from his room. It wasn’t unusual—Taylor and her mom fought constantly these days.

“You know what, fuck it,” Taylor muttered to herself, stomping up the stairs and slamming the door behind her.
“What is wrong with this girl?” Taylor’s mom sighed, rubbing her temples.

Taylor slammed the door harder.
“DON’T BE SLAMMING MY DOORS!” her mom shouted from downstairs.

⸻

“Dad, can I go to a party?” Laurie asked, a little hesitant but hopeful.
“Oh, of course, hunny. I’ll start the car up!” Coach Dan smiled, already heading toward the door. He was planning on getting Laurie a car soon, but finances were tight. He was looking for a better career to make it happen.

Laurie knew her parents were struggling, but she didn’t mind. She didn’t care about the money—they loved her, and that was enough.

⸻

The house party was loud and chaotic, with teenagers from different schools blending together. Music blasted through the speakers, and the energy was wild.

Taylor arrived fashionably late, sneaking in after taking her time with her outfit. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing there but wanted to escape her usual problems.

Rochelle was nervous, the memory of a past party disaster haunting her. She tried to calm herself but couldn’t shake the unease.

Laurie hesitated at the door, unsure if this was the right move. She thought she might meet new people, but doubts crept in.

Kai was buzzing with excitement, ready to dive into the new experience without looking back.

Tom wasn’t overly excited but was okay with the idea of hanging out. He didn’t mind the chaos, just observing everything around him.

Yuwen felt the nervousness creeping in, though his excitement was just as strong. He was looking forward to being free for a while, even if he wasn’t fully prepared for what lay ahead.

. . .

As they stepped into the crowded house, the noise and energy were overwhelming. People were scattered everywhere, some dancing, others in groups talking and laughing, drinks in hand.

Taylor made her way to the kitchen, looking for something to distract herself. The last thing she expected was to see Rochelle standing there, eyeing the drinks with hesitation. The two locked eyes for a moment, both surprised to see each other. “What the hell are you doing here?” Taylor muttered, surprised by the coincidence.

Rochelle frowned but shrugged. “I could ask you the same thing,” she said, though her voice wasn’t as sharp as usual. They didn’t say anything more and simply went their separate ways, choosing to ignore the awkward tension between them.

Meanwhile, Laurie walked into the living room, looking for a place to sit. Her gaze immediately caught Kai, who was laughing with a group of people, clearly enjoying herself. Laurie blinked, not expecting to see her there. “Kai?” Laurie thought, but didn’t approach her. It didn’t feel right yet. Instead, she found an empty seat and decided to stick to herself for now.

Tom wandered toward the back of the house, wanting a quieter space. He didn’t expect to run into Yuwen, who was leaning against the wall, nervously scanning the room. They locked eyes for a moment. “Yuwen?” Tom raised an eyebrow, surprised to see him there.

Yuwen was equally shocked. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he muttered, a little awkwardly. Both of them shrugged it off and just nodded, not wanting to make things uncomfortable.

. . .

Tom and Yuwen stood side by side, both trying to blend into the background of the party. The music was loud, people were dancing, and the air was thick with chatter.

“So… this is wild, huh?” Tom said, breaking the silence. He chuckled lightly, trying to ease the awkwardness between them.

Yuwen gave a small smile, relieved that Tom wasn’t going to ignore him. “Yeah, I didn’t expect this many people to show up,” he replied, trying to keep the conversation casual.

They both noticed each other’s presence a little more now, almost as if it was a reminder that despite everything, they could still talk. It wasn’t the same as before, but it wasn’t awkward either. Slowly, they started to talk about random things—school, the party, and even some light jokes to ease the tension from the past few weeks.

Laurie sat by herself in a quieter corner, her back against the wall. She tried not to look around too much but couldn’t help but notice how awkward it was. She had been hoping to meet new people, but it only reminded her that her entire friend group was here, and she wasn’t talking to any of them. She could see Taylor standing near the center of the room, laughing with someone, while Kai was in the living room, chatting and sipping on her drink. Laurie’s stomach twisted, and she tried to force herself to relax.

Kai, on the other hand, was a little too distracted by the chaotic party vibe. But when she noticed Laurie sitting alone, her eyes widened. She quickly turned her head to take a sip of her fruit punch, but in the process, she choked on it, coughing loudly and almost spilling the drink. Her new friends turned to her, concerned.

“Are you okay?” one of them asked, looking worried.

Kai nodded quickly, wiping her mouth. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. She glanced back at Laurie for a second before quickly turning away, not wanting to face her just yet.

Meanwhile, Yuwen’s eyes drifted across the room and landed on Taylor, who stood out effortlessly, her outfit perfect for the occasion. She looked stunning, more confident than ever. Yuwen’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly shook it off. He wasn’t about to get caught up in thinking about her—not tonight.

Tom, noticing Taylor too, couldn’t help but glance over. “Damn, Taylor really looks good tonight,” he muttered, more to himself than Yuwen.

Yuwen didn’t respond right away, but he knew Tom was right. He didn’t say anything about it, though, not wanting to stir things up.

Rochelle, standing a few feet away, fumed as she watched Taylor. Her anger from the TikTok beef hadn’t dissipated. She was still pissed, but rather than make a scene, she chose to ignore it. She leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, trying to focus on something else. She wouldn’t let Taylor ruin her night—no matter how much she still resented her.

But even with all the tension, no one really spoke about it.

⸻

The party buzzed with the usual mix of chatter and laughter, but Taylor could feel eyes on her. A small group of people, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces, began whispering among themselves. As they looked her way, one of them said loud enough for her to hear, “Oh my God, she’s the TikTok girl, right? I used to watch her videos. She was cool… before she got all cringey.”

Another person chimed in, “Yeah, she’s just trying too hard now. Who even cares about her anymore?”

Taylor blinked, the sting of their words hitting her harder than she wanted to admit. She fought to keep the tears at bay, taking a shaky breath, trying to smile through the hurt. She had always wanted to be admired, to be noticed. But now, the validation she sought was slipping through her fingers, and she couldn’t hold it together any longer.

Without thinking, she turned and walked out of the room, her heart aching with the weight of rejection.

Meanwhile, Laurie, who had been standing awkwardly near the wall, sighed deeply. She hadn’t expected this night to be so difficult. Between the tension in the group and all the unresolved emotions, she couldn’t help but feel like this was a mistake. She was out of place, surrounded by people who were struggling to get along, and it only made her feel more isolated.

That’s when Yuwen noticed Laurie sitting by herself, looking downcast. Excusing himself from Tom, he made his way over to her, quietly sitting down next to her.

“Hey,” he said softly, his voice gentle. “I know things have been… rough. I just wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have let things go the way they did.”

Laurie blinked, surprised by his sudden appearance. She hesitated, not sure how to respond. But then, the words she had been holding in came out. “I just don’t know if this whole thing was worth it. We were all so close, and now… everything feels messed up.”

Yuwen nodded, a mix of guilt and regret in his eyes. “I get it. I messed up too. I wasn’t there when I should’ve been, and I’m sorry for that. I miss how things used to be.”

Laurie let out a soft sigh, her eyes flickering to the rest of the party, where people were still laughing and having fun, oblivious to the tension surrounding their little group. She felt the weight of everything settle over her. It wasn’t perfect, but at least now, Yuwen was here, and maybe that meant something. Maybe they could still work it out, one step at a time.

“I miss it too,” Laurie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

⸻

Rochelle’s gaze flickered toward Kai as well, their eyes meeting for a brief, fleeting moment. There was something unspoken between them—something soft, almost vulnerable in their shared look. But the moment didn’t last long.

Kai shifted her gaze quickly, her eyes flickering away first, unsure of what to say, or even if she should say anything at all. Rochelle, too, looked away, the weight of their unspoken history pressing between them. They both stood there, caught in the tension of the party, surrounded by laughter and music, but neither of them moved toward the other.

Kai exhaled sharply, her mind racing. Not now, she thought, turning back to her conversation..

⸻

Taylor sat on the bathroom floor, staring at her phone, tears still glistening in her eyes. She had never felt more alone, the sting of the earlier whispers still fresh in her mind. She could barely breathe, and yet, in the chaos of her emotions, she thought of one thing: attention. Validation. Something, anything, to make her feel seen.

Her finger hovered over the screen, and without thinking, she posted a video.

The camera angled upward, showing her face in a half-lit blur, the tears fresh and raw. “You think you can talk about me like that, Rochelle?” she sneered, her voice trembling but sharp. “You’re not better than anyone else. You act all high and mighty, but trust me, you’re just as messed up as the rest of us. I’m done playing nice.” She tagged Rochelle’s account before hitting post, the rush of anger and hurt immediately flooding her chest.

Moments later, Rochelle’s phone buzzed relentlessly, the screen lighting up with the incoming notifications. She stared at the post, her pulse quickening as she read Taylor’s words. The comments started rolling in, some supporting Taylor’s message, others piling on her, fueling her rage. Her fists clenched, her heart racing with a mix of anger and disbelief.

“Is she seriously doing this now?” Rochelle muttered under her breath, her frustration building. Without wasting another second, she stormed through the house, asking anyone where Taylor had gone. A girl pointed toward the bathroom.

Rochelle’s eyes narrowed as she marched toward the door, her voice loud and unforgiving. “Open up, bitch!” she yelled, her fist slamming against the door.

Taylor’s breath caught in her throat as she heard Rochelle’s voice. She hadn’t expected her to come this quickly, but now she had no choice but to open the door. As the door creaked open, Taylor was met with Rochelle’s furious glare.

“So, what’s up?” Rochelle asked, her tone icy, barely holding back her anger.

Taylor glared right back, fighting to hold her ground. “You really think I’m just gonna let you talk shit about me and get away with it?”

Without warning, the tension broke into a chaotic fight. Hands shoved, shouts filled the air, and the sound of crashing bodies echoed off the bathroom walls. The group gathered outside, phones in hand, recording the spectacle.

The party had just taken a darker turn. Everyone watched, some entertained, others uneasy, as the fight between Taylor and Rochelle spiraled into a mess of anger and frustration.

Kai stood frozen at the edge of the hallway, her heart sinking as she watched the fight unfold between Taylor and Rochelle.

The chaos felt surreal—like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. She had hoped that things could somehow get better, that the group could heal, but this was a clear sign that everything was falling apart.

Her stomach twisted as she watched Rochelle shove Taylor, the anger so raw it almost seemed like the tension between them had been building for years. But now, here it was, spilling over in front of everyone.

Kai’s eyes flicked to the group gathered with their phones out, recording every moment. She felt a sinking pit in her stomach.

The friend group that had once been tight-knit, the one she’d clung to for so long, was unraveling. She felt a pang of loss. Everything had changed.

It wasn’t just a fight—it was the last thread snapping.

She turned away quickly, unable to watch any longer. But the sounds of the argument kept echoing in her mind.

Meanwhile, Laurie and Yuwen were blissfully unaware of the storm brewing inside. They were in the backyard, distant from the chaos, their attention solely on each other.

In the soft glow of the party lights, they shared a quiet kiss. A fleeting moment of peace amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

Laurie closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of Yuwen’s lips. The simplicity of the moment comforted her in ways she hadn’t expected.

But somewhere, deep down, Laurie couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing would ever be the same again.

“Was that okay?..” Yuwen asked, a soft smile on his face..

Laurie couldn’t help but giggle, trying to hold back her guilt.. “yea.”

Notes:

Laurie and Yuwen’s kiss will be explained, I promise. The chaos is here.

Chapter 9: “ Fight for Attention.”

Summary:

After the chaotic fight at the party, the friend group is more broken than ever.

Taylor held her nose, blood dripping between her fingers and staining her outfit. Her head pounded, her breathing heavy as she sat on the couch, wincing at every throb.

Rochelle wasn’t doing any better. Tom had pulled her back, forcing her to sit beside him with a busted lip and broken glasses. Her vision was a mess—everything blurry no matter how much she blinked. The sharp sting on her lip burned, and the faint taste of blood lingered on her tongue.

Taylor was still fuming, her body tense as the other kids pulled her away earlier. She sat beside one of her friends now, holding a napkin to her nose, groaning softly.

“I’m gonna call…” Tom muttered, pulling out his phone. His hands shook as he dialed Rochelle’s mom first, then Taylor’s.

—

“I told you not to go to that party.” Taylor’s mom’s voice was sharp, echoing through the car as she gripped the steering wheel.

“Mom, I—” Taylor started, but her mom didn’t let her finish.

“I’m very disappointed in you, Taylor. I thought nothing could ever change you.” Her tone was calm but filled with the weight of pure disappointment. “You’re grounded until I say otherwise. Give me your phone.”

Taylor’s heart dropped. Her phone? No. It was her lifeline—her only escape. The validation, the messages, the likes. She needed it.

“No.”

Her mom’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean no? Hand it over.”

“I said no.” Taylor’s voice was sharp, her emotions spiraling. She didn’t mean to snap, but her grip on her phone tightened.

Her mom’s jaw clenched. “Oh, you’re in big trouble when we get home.”

Taylor stared out the window, her heart pounding. She felt horrible. She hated talking back, but the thought of losing her phone was unbearable.

“Whatever…” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

—

“Rochelle! You could’ve gotten seriously hurt!” Frank’s voice echoed in the passenger seat, his tone filled with concern.

Vanessa gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. “I knew something like this would happen.” Her voice was quiet, but it was worse than yelling.

“I told you to stay out of drama.” Vanessa’s voice cracked slightly, but she masked it. “I am very upset with you.”

Rochelle’s heart dropped. Her mom had never said those words before.

“Oh…” Rochelle muttered softly, her voice barely audible.

“But, Mom… she—”

“I’m done, Roch.” Vanessa’s voice was firm now. “You’re lucky it wasn’t in school. You can’t keep getting suspended.”

Rochelle stared out the window, her expression unreadable. Her heart felt hollow. She stayed silent for the rest of the ride, her mind spiraling.

Frank glanced at her from the passenger seat, noticing her blank stare. He felt bad—Rochelle wasn’t a bad kid. But she was hurting, and this… this was going to break her.

—

Earlier…

Laurie sat beside Yuwen in the backyard, the moonlight reflecting in her eyes. “You know, Yuwen… I really enjoy spending time with you.” Her voice was soft, her eyes sparkling as they met his.

Yuwen’s breath caught in his throat. She looked… perfect. The way the moon highlighted her features made his heart race.

“Me too…” Yuwen’s voice was barely above a whisper, but his words were sincere.

Their eyes flickered down to each other’s lips. The space between them felt smaller, the air thick with unspoken feelings.

Yuwen’s mind screamed at him—“No, no… what am I doing?”—but his heart was louder. He leaned in slowly, his face inching closer to hers.

Laurie’s breath hitched, her mind blanking as she leaned in too.

They paused. Their noses brushed softly before their lips met in a delicate kiss. It was hesitant at first, as if testing the waters—but they both liked it.

Yuwen’s hand gently cupped Laurie’s face, and he pulled her closer, sealing their feelings with a longer, more confident kiss. Laurie’s eyes fluttered shut, her heart pounding as she melted into it.

—

But… they weren’t alone.

Tom stood by the window, his jaw dropping as he witnessed the kiss. His heart clenched, but not just because of what he saw.

This would break Kai.

Tom’s mind raced. If Kai found out… if anyone did… everything would fall apart.

He couldn’t let that happen.

Not now.

Tom took a deep breath, his expression hardening. He stepped away from the window, making a decision.

—

Of course, the fight video blew up. Everyone at school was posting it, sharing clips, and saving it.

Comments flooded in:
“Rochelle is a monster…”
“Bro, what is wrong with the girl with the glasses…”

Most of the hate was directed at Rochelle. Taylor, wanting to keep her “innocent” image intact, quietly deleted the post that started it all.

Rochelle lay in her bed, scrolling through the hateful comments. Her eyes flooded with tears, but she couldn’t stop reading.

“Hey, Rochelle… I ordered you new prescription glasses.” Frank’s voice broke her focus. He opened the door and immediately noticed her red, puffy eyes.

“Hey, kiddo… what’s up?” He frowned, sitting at the edge of her bed.

Rochelle quickly wiped her tears and hid her phone.

“Nothing!” She forced a smile, but her voice cracked.

Frank gave her a knowing look. “You know… you can tell me anything, right? I’m here for you. Even if I’m not your real father.” His lips curled into a soft smile.

Rochelle’s heart warmed. Her eyes lit up, but the weight of everything still pressed down on her.

“Just… the fight. It’s stressful.” She lied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh… I get it.” Frank nodded, his expression understanding. “We’ll figure this out, okay? I’m sure you had your reasons… but, uh, you really made your mom upset.”

“I know…” Rochelle sighed, her guilt weighing heavier now.

“She cares and loves you so much. She just wants the best for you. We don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know… I understand. I’m sorry.” Rochelle’s voice was softer now, the walls she’d built slowly crumbling.

Frank pulled her into a hug, holding her tight.

“Thanks…” Rochelle murmured, feeling a small sense of comfort in his embrace.

“No problem.” Frank gave her one last squeeze before leaving her room.

—

Taylor let out a heavy sigh, lying back on her bed.

What did she do?

She had ruined everything—all her friendships—over a stupid boy. She had changed herself for validation, for something she never really had. And now… it didn’t even feel worth it.

“Taylor… why do you and Mom keep arguing?”

Ira waddled into the room, his wide eyes filled with innocent curiosity.

Taylor sat up slightly, forcing a smile. “Oh, uh… we’re just going through a rough patch.”

“Oh…”

“Nothing to worry about,” she added quickly, trying to ease his mind.

“Okay!” Ira beamed, hugging his older sister tightly before running back out of the room.

Taylor’s smile faded the moment he left. She sank back into the mattress, staring up at the ceiling.

Her phone buzzed again—more notifications, more comments, more likes.

Rochelle’s followers were slowly dropping.

This is what Taylor wanted… right?

No.

—

Tom didn’t want to cry, but the tears came anyway.

He had always been told, “Boys don’t cry,” drilled into his mind by his so-called father. But right now… he didn’t care.

He missed his friends. Even when they left him out or forgot about him, he was always there—helping, supporting, never asking for anything in return. That was enough for him.

But now? He had nothing.

—

Yuwen and Laurie were… something. But they had agreed to keep it secret.

“Goodnight, Laurie,” Yuwen murmured, blowing her a playful kiss as she walked up to her house.

“Night!” Laurie waved back, her smile lingering even after she turned away.

“You had fun?” Her dad asked from the living room.

“Yeah… it was great,” Laurie chuckled softly.

The only good thing was Yuwen.

—

Kai had made some new friends—people who actually made her laugh and distracted her from all the drama. She couldn’t stop thinking about them, how easy everything felt when she was with them.

But… Laurie lingered in her mind too. Like a dull, persistent headache she couldn’t shake off.

She had wanted to talk to Laurie at the party. She really did. But between her new friends and trying to stay in the moment, she never made the effort. She didn’t even bother.

Now, though… maybe she should.

Maybe it was time.

Her finger hovered over Laurie’s contact.

Maybe I should unblock her…

—

Rochelle and Laurie’s Messages

Laurie: hey, I heard about the fight. Are you okay?

Rochelle: yep, I’m so angry at Taylor though.

Laurie: I totally understand.

Rochelle: where were you? I saw you.. but I forgot where.

Laurie: …

Rochelle: ??

Laurie: at the couch.

Rochelle: right!!

Laurie: wait, Kai texted me.

Rochelle: oh.

—

Kai and Laurie’s Messages

Kai: hey.. Laurie.

Laurie: hi.

Kai: uh, can we talk on Monday?

Laurie: Mhm.

Kai stared at the screen, noticing how dry Laurie’s response was.

Her chest tightened, but she pushed it off.

At least she didn’t say no.

Notes:

Sorry, ik it was short.. so tired tho

Chapter 10: “ Rochelle’s House. “

Summary:

The group, including Yuwen, Laurie, Taylor, Kai, Rochelle, and Tom, all find themselves at Rochelle’s house after a series of tense confrontations.

Notes:

TW: Taylor is annoying in this chapter

The next week of school…

—

Yuwen and Laurie walked through the halls, hand in hand. Laurie’s heart felt torn—guilt weighing on her, but her feelings for Yuwen were real. She loved him, even if everything felt wrong.

Tom walked past them, his eyes narrowing as he noticed their hands intertwined. “Y’all… are a thing?” His voice was quiet but filled with surprise.

Laurie opened her mouth to confirm it, but before she could, Yuwen suddenly let go of her hand. “Nah, we aren’t…” he mumbled, avoiding Tom’s gaze.

Laurie blinked, her heart dropping. “Wha—?”

Tom saw right through the lie, his expression unreadable. Yuwen didn’t let Laurie explain. He gently pulled her away, leading her toward class without another word.

Tom stood there, watching them walk away. His chest tightened. This wasn’t going to end well. He knew it. And for once… he wasn’t sure if he could fix it.

—

Kai sat at her desk, pretending to focus on her notebook, but her mind was elsewhere. Her new friends were fun—cool, even—but Laurie still lingered in her thoughts like an itch she couldn’t scratch.

She had unblocked Laurie after the party, but she hadn’t texted her again. She wasn’t ready. Not yet.

Her phone vibrated in her lap. A message from one of her new friends.

“Lunch plans?”

Kai stared at the screen. For a moment, she considered saying no. Maybe she could find Laurie… talk to her, finally. But her thumbs moved on their own.

“Yeah, I’m down.”

She sighed, locking her phone.

Maybe Monday wasn’t the right time.

Maybe it never would be.

—

At Lunch

Rochelle was sitting alone in the cafeteria, scrolling through her phone, her appetite gone. Every swipe brought another hateful comment, another reminder of the fight. People still hadn’t let it go.

Her fingers hovered over the delete button on her TikTok account.

“Yo, you good?”

Tom sat down across from her, looking concerned.

“Do I look good?” Rochelle muttered, not meeting his eyes.

Tom leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Nah… but deleting your account won’t fix this.”

Rochelle’s eyes flicked up, her expression unreadable. “How do you know that?”

“Because I’ve seen you fight harder than this.” Tom’s voice was soft, but there was a quiet strength behind it. “Don’t let them win.”

Rochelle blinked, her throat tightening. She wanted to believe him… but it didn’t feel that easy.

“Thanks, Tom,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

“Anytime.” He gave her a small smile, but there was something sad in his eyes.

They both knew things weren’t that simple.

—

Laurie sat in class, her eyes glued to the clock as the seconds dragged by. Yuwen sat beside her, scribbling in his notebook like nothing was wrong. But everything was wrong.

“Why did you do that?” Laurie finally whispered, her voice barely audible.

Yuwen’s pen paused mid-stroke, but he didn’t look up. “Do what?”

Laurie’s heart clenched. “In the hall… with Tom. Why did you say we weren’t… you know…”

Yuwen exhaled through his nose, still not meeting her eyes. “I just… I didn’t want people to know yet.”

“Why?” Laurie’s voice cracked.

Yuwen finally looked up, his expression guarded. “Laurie, it’s complicated.”

“No,” she shook her head, her voice firm now. “It’s not.”

Yuwen opened his mouth, but the bell rang before he could say anything.

“Laurie…”

“Forget it.” Laurie grabbed her bag and left without looking back.

—

Kai sat with her new friends at lunch, laughing at whatever joke someone had just made. But her heart wasn’t in it. Her eyes kept drifting across the cafeteria, landing on Laurie… sitting alone this time.

Maybe I should go talk to her.

Kai’s hand hovered over her phone, but she didn’t type anything.

“Earth to Kai?”

Her friend nudged her shoulder, pulling her back to the present.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m here,” Kai mumbled, forcing a smile.

But her mind was somewhere else entirely.

—

Taylor was late to school, and she didn’t care anymore. She didn’t even care to look good.

People in the halls whispered about her, about the fight, about her videos… Taylor heard most of them.

“Such a pick-me…”

“She’s a bop, lowkey.”

“Yo, she got her shit rocked during the fight!”

“You saw the fight!?”

“She looks a mess…”

Taylor hid her tears, looking down from the crowd. She just wanted to be validated. She wanted… she didn’t even know anymore.

Her fingers clenched around the strap of her bag as her pace quickened. She couldn’t face class, not like this. Her eyes darted around, looking for an escape.

Without a second thought, she slipped into the nearest bathroom, locking herself in a stall. Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone, scrolling through old pictures of the friend group. Laughing. Smiling. Back when things weren’t so messed up.

Her vision blurred as tears finally spilled over. What’s even the point anymore…?

—

Rochelle felt like the entire school was against her, all over her ex-best friend. She missed Taylor… she missed everyone.

As she walked through the hall, her eyes wandered until they landed on Kai.

Kai looked up at Rochelle, blinking.

Rochelle noticed her. For a moment, her eyes flickered with slight hope, but that hope vanished when she saw Kai’s friends surrounding her.

Kai needed to apologize to Rochelle. She took out her phone, unblocking her… but then she went back to talking to her friends.

Rochelle found Kai complicated. Did she even want to fix things?

Until—her phone buzzed.

Kai and Rochelle’s messages:

Kai: let’s talk after school

Rochelle: k

Rochelle’s lips curled into a small smile.

“What are you smiling at?” Tom asked, sipping on his juice.

“I think… me and Kai can work this out.”

Tom’s eyes widened, and he smiled himself. Maybe this friend group could work out.

Again.

—

After school

Yuwen offered to drive Laurie home. As Laurie climbed into the passenger seat, she leaned in and gave Yuwen a long kiss. They both giggled softly before kissing again, caught up in their little world.

Rochelle happened to be walking by, heading home since Vanessa and Frank were busy. Her steps slowed as her eyes landed on Yuwen’s car.

What the fuck…

She froze, watching them kiss, her jaw tightening. They had no idea she was there. Laurie pulled away with a smile, and Yuwen drove off, unaware of the eyes that had just witnessed everything.

Rochelle stood there, seething with anger. How could they date after everything that’s happened? After all the drama, the pain?

Her hands balled into fists the rest of her walk home, her mind racing with frustration and betrayal.

—

Rochelle sat on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through her phone. She wasn’t really paying attention to anything, her thoughts too loud.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Rochelle blinked, snapping out of her daze. She swiftly made her way to the door, opening it.

It was Kai.

“Hey, Ro…” Kai said softly, her expression a mix of nervousness and hope.

Rochelle blinked in surprise but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. She stepped aside, letting Kai in.

The two sat on the couch, a strange but familiar silence between them.

“I’m… sorry for pushing you away,” Kai finally spoke, her voice quiet. “I just got so angry when the drama first started.”

Rochelle blinked, her walls slowly coming down. “No… I’m sorry. I—I know I did a lot of things wrong. I’m open to fixing them… to certain people.” Her tone dropped at the end, making it clear Taylor wasn’t included in that.

But as she spoke, Rochelle’s disappointment in herself weighed down on her. Her eyes started to swell with tears.

Kai’s eyes widened. “Hey, hey… what’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, Kai… I don’t mean to cry—” Rochelle quickly wiped her eyes, her new prescription glasses sliding slightly down her nose.

Kai’s eyes softened as she moved closer, gently rubbing Rochelle’s back. “It’s okay.” Her voice was soothing, her touch grounding.

Without thinking, Rochelle leaned in, and Kai pulled her into a tight hug.

Rochelle sniffled, her arms wrapping around Kai with just as much affection.

“Wait…” Rochelle blinked, pulling away from the hug.

Kai’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s… something I need to tell you.” Rochelle sniffled, her eyes meeting Kai’s with hesitation.

Kai tilted her head, concern flickering in her gaze. “What?”

—

Laurie and Yuwen sang along to the radio, giggling like nothing else in the world mattered. Their voices blended into a carefree melody, their laughter filling the car.

Their hands intertwined as Yuwen drove, his thumb gently brushing over her skin.

“I love you, Laurie.” Yuwen’s eyes lit up, his words genuine and full of warmth.

Laurie blinked, her heart skipping a beat. “I love you too…” Her lips curled into a wide smile, happiness radiating from her.

Yuwen felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had never said those three words to Taylor—not once. But with Laurie, it felt… right.

“Bye, babe!” Yuwen waved her off with a grin as she hopped out of the car.

“Bye, Yuwie!” Laurie teased, unlocking her front door. Her dad greeted her with a warm smile as she stepped inside.

Yuwen’s smile lingered for a moment, but as he turned back to the steering wheel, something shifted.

Yuwie.

His heart sank. That was the nickname Taylor used to call him.

His smile faded, and guilt started creeping back in. No matter how much he tried to move on… Taylor’s pain still echoed in the back of his mind.

With a heavy heart, Yuwen slowly drove off, the weight of his past following close behind.

—

Tom had been spiraling for days. His parents had been on his case about everything—small things, stupid things—and it was weighing on him. He never lashed out, but this time, he did. And when he slammed the front door behind him, he had no idea where he was going.

But somehow, his feet carried him to Rochelle’s. Her house wasn’t far, and honestly… he just needed to be somewhere that felt familiar. Somewhere that didn’t feel so lonely.

—

“Wait… he’s dating Laurie?!” Kai blinked, her eyes going wide, her mind racing.

“They were kissing in his car…” Rochelle’s voice was quiet, almost like she regretted saying it. She felt guilty for snitching, but Kai deserved to know.

Kai was mortified. There was no way. Yuwen and Laurie? Together? Her stomach dropped.

Before Rochelle could say more, a knock echoed at the door.

Rochelle blinked and stood up. “Tom?.. What are you—”

“Can I please… stay for a little?” Tom’s voice was soft, almost pleading. He never asked for anything. He was always the one helping them, holding the group together. But now… he looked broken.

Rochelle’s heart clenched. “Of course.”

Tom managed a small smile and walked inside, but his eyes immediately landed on Kai, whose shocked expression said it all.

“Kai? What’s wrong?” Tom frowned, sensing something was very off.

“I… I told her that Yuwen and Laurie were together,” Rochelle said softly, closing the door behind her.

Tom’s eyes widened. He turned to Rochelle, his face pale.

“No… no! Why did you do that?!” Tom’s voice cracked, his heart sinking. He knew this was going to break everything apart even more.

“Wait… you knew?” Kai’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“I… I did.” Tom’s shoulders slumped. “But… I just wanted to protect you.”

Kai’s lips trembled. “Are you all just—” Her voice broke as her eyes filled with tears, overflowing before she could stop them.

Rochelle and Tom froze, but they immediately rushed to her side, guilt hanging heavy in the air.

—

Meanwhile…

Taylor’s mom had enough. “Go to Rochelle’s and apologize.”

Taylor had no choice. Her mom didn’t care how much she protested or how angry she was.

So, Taylor drove to Rochelle’s, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. She didn’t want to do this. But maybe… just maybe… it could fix everything.

When she pulled up to Rochelle’s house, she groaned, noticing Laurie standing on the sidewalk nearby.

Perfect.

Taylor tried to ignore her, slamming the car door as she got out.

“Taylor…” Laurie called out softly, but Taylor didn’t stop. She didn’t even look her way.

Laurie sighed, watching Taylor approach the door. She knew she couldn’t fix this… not yet.

Taylor knocked, her heart pounding.

Rochelle opened the door, her breath catching in her throat. Her body tensed immediately.

“Oh—”

“What are you doing here?” Rochelle’s voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing.

“It’s not like I have a choice,” Taylor snapped back, her tone just as cold.

Everything felt like it was falling apart… and no one knew how to stop it.

—

⸻

Yuwen showed up at Taylor’s house, desperate to talk to her, but was met by Ira instead.

“Taylor isn’t here,” Ira said coldly, as he opened the door. “She went to Rochelle’s. Good luck.” Then he slammed the door, returning to his iPad.

Yuwen stared at the door in disbelief. “Uh… okay…”

He knew he shouldn’t go, not with the mess that had been made between him and Rochelle. But he went anyway.

⸻

Rochelle answered the door, surprised to see him. “Yuwen!? What are you doing here?”

He flinched, trying to act casual. “Don’t think you’re special, I’m only here for Taylor.”

Rochelle shot him a deadpan look. “Oh, so you could cheat on Laurie?”

“What!? No!” Yuwen protested, but Rochelle slammed the door almost in his face.

“No, let him in,” Kai said, stopping Rochelle. She groaned but stepped aside.

“Taylor, look…” Yuwen started, but he was cut off.

“So, you’re dating Laurie!?” Taylor blinked in disbelief.

Laurie sighed, trying to fix things with Rochelle, but now she was caught up in the mess. “Okay, why are all of you even here!? I don’t even like some of you,” Rochelle shot a look at Taylor.

Taylor gasped, clutching her chest. “What the hell does that look mean?”

Rochelle clapped her hands together, her voice dripping with disdain. “It means ‘I don’t like HOES.’”

Kai stared, wide-eyed at the drama unfolding.

Tom stood there, silently watching. He had hoped this friend group could work, but it seemed like everything was falling apart. He tightened his grip on his hoodie, watching them crumble.

“Guys, we can talk this out—” Laurie sighed.

“Laurie, I’m literally done with you. You’re a fake friend,” Taylor snapped, her voice sharp. “You’re dating my ex and acting like nobody’s going to be mad about it.”

Laurie flinched at the words, her eyes starting to well up with tears.

“You mean a relationship that ended years ago? You need to move on, baby,” Rochelle fired back, snapping her fingers in Taylor’s face.

“It’s still my ex!” Taylor yelled.

Rochelle leaned against the wall, unfazed. “Rochelle’s right. You said for months you were over him. So, what’s the problem now?”

Taylor fell silent.

“Silence. Ain’t no back talk,” Rochelle called out.

Yuwen rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward.

“But, you’re still wrong, Yuwen,” Rochelle said, shaking her head. “You’ve been playing with two girls and then asked Laurie out in the middle of all this mess!”

“Rochelle, you’re so two-faced… Let’s not forget you were talking shit about Laurie and Kai in class,” Taylor spoke up, her voice laced with venom.

Rochelle was stunned. “Wow.”

Kai shook her head, the weight of the betrayal sinking in. “After everything…”

“Kai, that was the past when I was mad at you. We’ve resolved everything,” Rochelle defended herself, but her heart pounded in her chest.

Taylor stood, seething. “How does that feel? To be called out?”

Laurie, frustrated, stood by quietly. “I didn’t talk about you, it wasn’t like that. You’re still my friend.”

“Friend? Bullshit. You’re so ghetto, I can’t even,” Taylor laughed bitterly.

“Taylor, do you realize how selfish and self-centered you’ve been since high school started? You’ve been acting so damn weird,” Kai snapped, stepping in front of Rochelle.

Taylor’s eyes widened, but she retorted, “Didn’t you ignore everyone, thinking that would fix anything? You’re dumb as hell.”

Rochelle shot back, “Didn’t you get mad over a girl who took your ex when you failed countless times?”

“Bitch, I’d—” Taylor started to snap at Kai, but Tom pulled her back.

“What are y’all doing!? You’re wild animals!” Tom shouted, appalled by their behavior.

Laurie sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. Yuwen held her hand, trying to offer her comfort. “I’m sorry, Laurie,” he muttered, his voice low.

Kai stood, glaring at Yuwen and Laurie together. She couldn’t bear to see them as a couple.

Laurie was about to respond to Yuwen, but her gaze met Kai’s. The tension between them was undeniable.

Taylor kicked and screamed, trying to break free from Tom’s hold. “Taylor, calm down!” Tom yelled, pushing her down onto the couch.

Rochelle stood, staring in disbelief. She had once called Taylor her best friend. But now, everything had changed. And not for the better.

Atleast, she fixed things with Kai.

“Hey, I’m glad we cool again.” Kai pulled Rochelle into a hug, trying to ignore Yuwen and Laurie.

“Let’s go.” Laurie muttered, her eyes still glossy.. she didn’t get to fix things with anyone.

Notes:

Lmao the way everyone is ganging up on Taylor

Chapter 11: “ Hearts stopped beating. “

Summary:

The group’s friendships shattered due to jealousy, unspoken feelings, and drama. Yuwen struggled with his emotions and confusion over his relationship with Laurie

The rift between Taylor and the rest of the group only grew wider.

Tom, stuck in the middle, desperately tried to fix things, but no one even noticed his efforts. He was just… there. Watching. Hoping. But his voice was drowned out by all the chaos.

—

Laurie and Yuwen finally found time for their first date—a picnic.

Laurie sat quietly on the blanket, her eyes distant as Yuwen handed her a sandwich.

“Hey… are you good?” he asked softly, snapping his fingers in front of her.

Laurie blinked, forcing a chuckle as she took the sandwich. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks though.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Yuwen smiled back, but it didn’t last. His expression cracked almost immediately. “You’ve seemed… out of it all week.”

Laurie’s grip on the sandwich loosened. “Uh, it’s just… my whole parents thing. Nothing major.” She didn’t want to tell him the full truth. Her feelings were a mess—toward Yuwen, toward Taylor, and even Kai. Everything about sophomore year was confusing her.

Yuwen blinked, looking a little unsure. “Oh… I thought it was because you didn’t like m—”

“No!” Laurie cut him off, too quickly. “Of course not. I— I still…” She trailed off, realizing she was lying again. Her heart pounded as the words slipped out.

“Love you.” She looked back down at the sandwich, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yuwen’s eyes softened, but there was a flicker of realization behind them.

“Laurie…” His voice was gentle but heavy. “If you’re not into… whatever this is, that’s okay.”

Laurie’s head snapped up. “ ‘Whatever this is’!? What’s that supposed to mean?” Her grip tightened on the sandwich, her knuckles turning white.

Yuwen rubbed the back of his neck. “I just mean… I love you. And I think you love me? But I don’t know anymore. I felt like we had that spark, and I still think we do… but lately, it’s like you’re somewhere else.” His voice was laced with quiet frustration.

Laurie frowned, her heart pounding in her ears. “I…”

“Laurie.” Yuwen’s brows furrowed, his concern deepening. “You can tell me anything.”

Laurie let out a shaky sigh, finally admitting what she had been avoiding. “I don’t know, Yuwen. I’m just… trying to make sense of how I feel about certain people. And I’m confused right now. You being here… it’s making it worse.” Her voice cracked. “I love you, but… I just don’t know.”

Yuwen’s face fell. “You don’t know?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Then… why did you say yes when I asked you out?”

Laurie’s throat tightened. She looked away. “Maybe… we should postpone again.”

She gently set the sandwich down and stood up.

“Wait—” Yuwen stood up too, panic flashing across his face.

“I need space, Yuwen,” Laurie said softly, her back turned to him.

“Where are you gonna go?” Yuwen called after her, his voice breaking.

“I don’t know, okay?” Laurie threw her arms up, walking off without looking back.

Yuwen stood there, frozen.

The picnic blanket felt emptier than ever.

—

Tom stayed over at Rochelle’s for the time being—Vanessa gave her permission, not that his parents really cared much.

After School

Tom and Rochelle sat on the couch, Rochelle’s head resting on Tom’s shoulder as she vented.

Tom listened quietly, a bowl of ramen in his hands.

“I don’t know,” Rochelle murmured, fidgeting with her new glasses. “I feel bad for treating Laurie the way I did. We used to be so close in middle school… but it just ended when we got to freshman year.” She sighed, glancing at her pink glasses. She hated that color now. It reminded her too much of who she used to be.

Tom swirled the noodles around his fork. “None of this is your fault… or really anyone’s,” he muttered. “It’s all just a bunch of stupid drama. I just wish…” His voice trailed off, the image of Taylor flashing in his mind. She wasn’t the same. “I wish Taylor would calm down.”

Rochelle’s frown deepened, her heart sinking. All her friendships had crashed and burned in a matter of weeks.

Well… except for Tom.

“Me too,” she whispered, her body relaxing as she leaned fully against him. For once, she wasn’t tense.

Tom slurped his noodles, humming softly.

“Thank you, Tom.” Rochelle glanced up at him, her eyes soft. “I really appreciate you, after everything. You deserve the biggest apology from all of us. You’ve tried to help us through this mess.”

Tom blinked.

He froze.

His cheeks flushed pink, and he almost choked on his noodles.

Rochelle lifted her head in alarm. “Woah, woah! Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?”

Tom blinked rapidly, his blush deepening. “Of course not!” His voice cracked. “The noodles were just… too hot.”

Rochelle raised a brow. She slid her glasses back on to get a better look at his face.

Then she saw it.

The red tint creeping across his cheeks.

“Haha!” Rochelle giggled, her eyes lighting up. “Whatever you say.” She stood up, stretching. “I want some noodles too… be right back!” She grinned, rushing toward the kitchen.

Tom let out a long sigh of relief, running a hand through his hair.

This could not be happening.

—

Taylor had to stay at her grandma’s, which wasn’t far from her house, after her mom described her as uncontrollable.

The arguments between Taylor and her mom had become too frequent. Her dad usually had to step in, and Ira… well, Ira pretended it didn’t bother him. But it did.

His big sister never had time for him anymore.

He understood that—she was growing up and needed her space.

But he didn’t want to understand.

“Hey, baby!” Her grandma greeted with warmth, helping Taylor bring her bag inside.

Taylor forced a smile as her mother drove away without looking back.

“Hi, Grandma!” Taylor’s smile was strained, but she held it together.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let me show you to your room.” Her grandma gently took her hand, leading her down the hall.

“Yay…” Taylor muttered under her breath, her smile finally fading.

—

Laurie walked through the streets, her mind a mess.

She pulled out her phone, her finger hovering over Kai’s contact. Her thumb hesitated.

Her heart thudded.

Before she could stop herself, she pressed the message icon.

Kai and Laurie’s Messages
Contact Name: my girl 💘 (Laurie thought it was supposed to be friendly… right?)

Laurie: hey, Kai. Can I come over?
Kai: ofc.
Laurie: omg, TYTY
Kai: anytime, laur 💞💞

Laurie stared at the messages, her cheeks heating up.

Wait.

No.

This couldn’t be happening.

Right?

She had a boyfriend.

Yuwen.

But her heart… told her something different.

—

Yuwen cleaned up the picnic, his eyes stinging as he fought back tears.

He couldn’t blink.

If he did… he’d break.

Was Laurie even committed? Maybe she didn’t have to be. Maybe this was all his fault.

His chest tightened as he folded the blanket, his movements slow and heavy. He packed everything into the trunk, slamming it shut before opening his car door.

Just before getting in, he glanced back at the field.

The softball field.

Memories hit him like a wave—how everything used to be fine. How their friend group worked before all this. Before everything fell apart.

His vision blurred as his tears finally fell, splashing onto his lap as he gripped the steering wheel.

He didn’t wipe them away.

—

Kai laid on her bed, her phone in her hand.

She didn’t know what to do anymore.

Without Yuwen. Without Taylor. Without Laurie.

Her thumb hovered over TikTok, scrolling through their profiles like a bad habit. It was getting old and honestly… embarrassing.

But she couldn’t stop.

She told herself she was happy for Laurie and Yuwen.

She wanted to be happy for them.

So why did it hurt so much?

At least Laurie was coming over.

Maybe they could talk about it. Maybe things could feel normal again…

Maybe.

—

Yuwen’s vision blurred as he drove.

Tears kept falling, clouding his eyesight. His hands trembled on the wheel.

Get it together.

But he couldn’t. His chest tightened, and his breaths came out shaky. His phone buzzed beside him, breaking through his sobs.

He glanced at the screen.

It was his lock screen.

Him and Taylor.

He never changed it.

Tears overflowed again, and his grip on the wheel tightened. His heart ached, remembering how things used to be. How they should have been.

He blinked, trying to clear his vision—

But he didn’t see the sharp turn coming.

SKKKKKRRRRRTTTTTT.

CRASH.

—

Taylor stayed in her room after being offered a tour of the house.

She hadn’t seen her grandma in years. She wanted to spend time with her… but she just didn’t feel like it.

Her phone was the only thing she wanted right now.

She scrolled through TikTok, mindlessly watching videos, bored out of her mind.

Until—

A knock on the door.

“Hey, baby… can we talk?”

Taylor blinked, snapping out of her trance. She sat up, quickly wiping her eyes. They were teary from lying down too long.

“Yeah… yeah.”

Her grandma opened the door, a soft smile on her face. “Your mom told me everything… and I just wanted to know if you wanted to talk about what’s been going on.”

Taylor froze. “Uh… sure.”

Her grandma sat on the edge of the bed, her warmth immediately filling the room. “So, what’s up?”

Taylor hugged her knees to her chest, feeling awkward. She never really vented like this.

“Well… you know the boy I dated in middle school?”

Her grandma nodded. “Yeah… what about him?”

Taylor’s throat tightened. “Turns out… I still—I think I still have feelings for him. I tried to convince myself I was over him, but… I just couldn’t.”

Her grandma’s expression softened. “Oh, baby… I know how that feels. Go on.”

Taylor let out a weak chuckle. “Yeah, but… I don’t know. I got so jealous when my best friend—well… I don’t even know if I can call her that anymore—when she started dating him. My jealousy got the best of me. Now, I lost all my best friends.”

Her grandma frowned gently. “Well, sweetheart… you did tell them you were over him long before. You can’t really get mad at her for that.”

“I know, I know… I just…” Taylor sighed, her head dropping. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been so caught up in social media and everything… I can’t even control myself anymore.”

Her grandma tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “How about… we play some Uno to get your mind off it?”

Taylor blinked.

Uno?

“Ehh… I’ll catch up with you after. I gotta deal with something first.”

Her grandma smiled softly, standing up. “Okay, I’ll be waiting!~ I’ll beat you!”

She giggled mischievously, walking out.

Taylor watched her leave, her chest aching.

She wasn’t gonna play.

She was just gonna stay in here. Alone.

—

Laurie knocked on the door, her heart pounding.

Kai’s dad answered, his warm smile instantly putting her at ease.

“Hey, Laurie! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? But, uh… Kai’s upstairs.”

Laurie smiled back, feeling a little more relaxed. “Thanks! Happy to see you again.” She gave him a polite nod before making her way upstairs.

Kai sat up in her bed, hearing the familiar footsteps.

“Kai!”

Laurie burst into the room, jumping into Kai’s arms.

Kai blinked, caught off guard, but her arms instinctively wrapped around Laurie.

“I missed you… so, so much,” Laurie murmured, her voice breaking a little.

“Me too…” Kai whispered softly, her hand gently caressing Laurie’s hair.

Laurie pulled away after a moment, her eyes flickering with hesitation.

“Well… I just wanted to apologize. I should’ve done this a while ago,” Laurie said, her voice quieter now. “I’m sorry for whatever I did… You just weren’t communicating, but… I think I should’ve stepped up more.”

Kai’s lips curled into a soft smile.

“No… I was just—mad at the drama. Not you.” Kai’s words came out smooth, but deep down, she knew it was half a lie. “I apologize for ignoring you. You didn’t deserve that.”

Laurie frowned.

She hadn’t forgotten that night.

How Kai asked her out.

“No… I know what it is.” Laurie sighed, her eyes lowering. “I’m sorry for dating Yuwen. I… I didn’t realize you liked me.”

Kai tensed, her heart sinking.

“Laurie… it’s okay,” Kai murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t know. Don’t apologize for dating someone you… truly want to be with.”

Kai placed a hand gently on Laurie’s shoulder, her expression soft.

Laurie smiled weakly, placing her hand over Kai’s.

Kai’s cheeks flushed softly at the touch.

Laurie noticed—her eyes flickering down to their hands—and quickly pulled away, her hand dropping.

Kai immediately withdrew her hand, the air between them growing awkward.

“So… uh…” Kai cleared her throat. “We cool?”

Laurie blinked, her cheeks slightly pink.

“Mhm…” she murmured, her voice softer than before.

The awkward tension lingered until Kai spoke up again.

“You wanna make a TikTok?” Kai blurted, desperate to change the subject.

Laurie’s face lit up, her discomfort fading.

“Yeah!!”

Kai smiled, pulling out her phone.

Maybe… they could get back to how things used to be.

Or at least try.

—

Rochelle and Tom sat comfortably on the couch, bowls of noodles in their hands as they watched Big City Greens.

“This show is my guilty pleasure…” Tom chuckled, his eyes glued to the screen.

“Tilly is my fav,” Rochelle grinned as the quirky character appeared on screen.

“Ehh, she is funny though,” Tom admitted, squinting his eyes as he slurped another mouthful of noodles.

They both laughed, but… something lingered between them.

Neither of them wanted to admit it, but they could feel it.

The air was different.

Before either of them could say another word, Rochelle’s phone buzzed on the coffee table.

She lazily picked it up, glancing at the notification.

“KAI 🤍 posted a video.”

Rochelle blinked. Kai?

Curious, she tapped on the notification, her screen immediately pulling up the video.

The audio blasted through her phone—

“Jump like jumping jacks and put it in rotation like—”

Rochelle’s eyes widened.

Kai and Laurie were on her screen, doing a dance challenge together.

They were smiling… laughing… moving perfectly in sync.

Too perfectly.

Rochelle’s jaw dropped, her noodles nearly slipping from her hands.

“She… posted that?” Rochelle’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Tom blinked, looking over.

“Huh? Lemme see.”

Rochelle turned the phone toward him, and—

“WHAT!?”

Both of them screamed in unison, their eyes glued to the video.

They looked more than…

Way more than what they claimed to be.

Tom’s mouth hung open, “Yo… what is happening?”

Rochelle just stared at the screen, her mind racing.

—

Later in the evening…

Taylor lay on her bed, scrolling through TikTok, lost in the never-ending loop of videos.

Her mind barely registered anything.

Her grandma’s offer to play Uno felt like a distant memory now—just something to brush off.

She wasn’t in the mood.

She hadn’t been in the mood for anything lately.

Her finger mindlessly swiped up, but nothing on her For You page seemed interesting. Just trends, drama, and dances she couldn’t care less about right now.

The light from her phone screen reflected off her face, but her eyes…

Her eyes looked empty.

Why did everything have to get so messed up?

Her friends were gone.

Her life felt out of control.

And now… she was stuck here, feeling nothing.

Until—

THUD.

A loud noise echoed from the living room.

Taylor’s heart dropped.

She blinked, snapping out of her trance.

“Grandma!?”

Her voice wavered as she shot up from bed, her phone sliding off the mattress and landing on the floor.

Her body moved before her mind could process anything.

Taylor swung her bedroom door open, her heart pounding in her ears.

Her bare feet slapped against the cold floor as she rushed toward the living room.

Her stomach twisted into knots.

“Grandma?” Her voice trembled as she approached—

Her eyes landed on the sight.

Her grandma was on the floor.

The Uno cards were still on the table, untouched.

“GRANDMA!?”

Taylor’s voice cracked, her throat tightening as she ran over to her.

She dropped to her knees, grabbing her grandma’s frail hand.

Her body felt so… still.

“Grandma…?” Taylor’s voice was barely a whisper now.

Her fingers shook as she gently squeezed her hand.

“No, no, no… please wake up..”

Her lips quivered as her eyes filled with tears, her vision growing blurry.

“Please… don’t do this…”

Her chest heaved as panic consumed her.

“Grandma…”

A tear slipped down her cheek, landing softly on her grandma’s face.

“Please…” her voice broke, barely audible now.

The house was too quiet.

The warmth of her grandma’s hand…

It was fading.

Taylor’s sobs echoed in the empty room as her grip tightened, her heart shattering with every passing second.

For the first time in a long time—

Taylor felt truly alone.

“I’m sorry.”

—

Vanessa grabbed her purse in a panic, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the strap.

“Kids… KIDS!!”

Her voice was sharp, urgent.

Tom and Rochelle’s heads snapped up from the couch.

Tom’s bowl of noodles almost slipped from his lap as he blinked in confusion. Rochelle’s heart instantly dropped, her stomach twisting.

“What’s wrong?” Rochelle’s voice wavered.

Vanessa’s face was pale, her eyes wide with fear.

“Ms. Wang just called—” Vanessa’s breath hitched, her voice barely holding it together.

“Yuwen’s in the hospital.”

“What.”

Notes:

why are they so shippable. I literally love the ships yall r suggesting but.. who should we pair Tom with?

Yuwen or Rochelle CAUSE.

Chapter 12: “ Looking Forward. “

Summary:

Vanessa rushes to the hospital with Rochelle and Tom after learning Yuwen is injured. Kai and Laurie also race there after hearing the news.

Vanessa frantically drove with Tom and Rochelle in the back.

“Yeah—yeah—I’m almost there,” Frank said over the phone, his voice tense. He was just as worried about Yuwen.

“See you there.” Vanessa hung up, her grip tightening on the wheel. She tried to focus on the road, but her mind raced with fear.

“Mom! Be careful…” Rochelle’s voice shook as she held onto Tom and the car door for balance.

Tom sat silently beside her, his mind somewhere else. For the first time, it felt like he was actually going to cry.

“I know—I know, hermosa, I’m sorry…” Vanessa took a few deep breaths, trying to steady herself. The car whooshed past trees and bushes, everything blurring as she sped toward the hospital.

—

Kai and Laurie kept making TikToks for fun, laughing and goofing off. Some went to drafts, others were posted, but they were finally having a moment of peace.

“Hey, Dad… what’s up?” Kai answered her phone casually, her smile fading as she listened.

Laurie sat beside her, still smiling—until she noticed Kai’s expression shift.

“What… what?” Kai’s voice cracked, her eyes widening with panic.

Laurie flinched, sitting up straighter. “What happened?”

“Yuwen is in the hospital!” Kai’s voice broke as she put her phone down, her hands trembling.

Laurie’s face immediately twisted with guilt and sadness. Her chest tightened.

She should’ve never left his side.

“Come on… we’ll take my car.” Kai wiped her eyes, grabbing Laurie’s hand. Neither of them grabbed coats or tied their shoes as they bolted out the door.

The rain poured down, but they didn’t care.

—

Taylor sat on the porch, her arms wrapped around her knees as the ambulance drove away.

Her grandma was gone.

Tears streamed down Taylor’s face, her sobs muffled as she buried her face in her arms.

“I’m so sorry, Grandma… I’m… sorry.” Her voice broke as she hit her head gently with her palm, trying to stop herself from crying, but she couldn’t.

She had pushed her grandma away. And now… she might never get that time back.

“Taylor…”

Her mom’s voice cut through the rain as she ran up the porch, pulling Taylor into a tight hug.

Taylor felt her mom shaking, but she was trying to stay strong.

“We need to go… now.” Her mom pulled back, sniffling, her face pale.

Taylor blinked, her teary eyes red and swollen. “W-What?”

Her mom’s lips quivered. “It’s Yuwen. He’s in the hospital.”

Taylor’s heart stopped. More tears welled up as she whispered, “What…?”

“Come on, baby… let’s go.” Her mom wiped her tears, but Taylor was frozen in place, her body trembling.

How did everything fall apart so fast?

—

The Hospital

Vanessa, Rochelle, and Tom hurried through the sterile halls of the hospital, their footsteps echoing in the quiet space. The smell of antiseptic clung to the air, heavy and suffocating.

Ms. Wang stood outside Yuwen’s room, her arms wrapped around herself. The moment she saw them, her face crumpled.

Vanessa wasted no time pulling her into a tight hug. “I’m so sorry for what happened. We came as soon as we could.”

Ms. Wang broke down in her arms, sobbing into Vanessa’s shoulder. Black mascara streaked down her cheeks, her body trembling with grief.

Rochelle and Tom exchanged glances, shame tightening in their chests. The drama, the fights—it all felt so small now.

The sound of hurried footsteps made them turn.

Kai and Laurie burst through the hall, drenched from the rain, their shoes untied, hair dripping.

“Kai? Laurie?” Rochelle’s breath hitched. Without hesitation, she threw herself into their arms, squeezing them tight.

Tom hesitated for only a second before joining the hug.

Vanessa wiped her eyes. “Come on, kids.”

Ms. Wang, still wiping her tears, pushed open the door.

Inside, Yuwen lay unconscious. His leg was in a cast, his face bruised and covered in bandages. His arms were littered with dark bruises, and faint blood stained his hospital gown. The steady beep of the heart monitor filled the room, a cruel reminder that he was still fighting.

Kai stepped forward, her hands shaking as she reached for Yuwen’s hand. It was cold. Lifeless. He didn’t squeeze back.

The doctor sighed, flipping through her clipboard. “He has a broken leg, severe head trauma, and multiple contusions. We’re hopeful he’ll wake up soon.”

Hopeful.

The word felt so fragile, like it could shatter at any moment.

A choked sob broke the silence.

Ms. Wang dropped to her knees beside the bed, gripping Yuwen’s other hand like if she held tight enough, she could pull him back. “My son…” she wept.

Kai wiped at her tears furiously.

“I’m sorry,” Laurie whispered, her voice barely audible.

Rochelle couldn’t bring herself to speak. The guilt was too heavy, pressing down on her chest like a weight she couldn’t lift.

Vanessa placed a gentle hand on Ms. Wang’s shoulder. “He’s strong. He’ll wake up.”

She hoped she wasn’t lying.

⸻

Taylor’s Goodbye

Taylor sat stiffly in the chair beside her grandmother’s hospital bed, staring at the stillness of her face.

Her phone sat untouched in her lap, forgotten. The world outside this room didn’t matter anymore.

Her mother stood by the window, phone pressed to her ear, voice hushed as she spoke to Taylor’s dad. “Ira’s going to be devastated.”

Taylor swallowed hard. Her little brother… how was she supposed to tell him?

Then—

A cough. Weak, strained.

Taylor’s head snapped up.

“Grandma?” Her voice broke as she leaned forward, tears spilling over as her grandmother’s tired eyes fluttered open.

“Hey, baby…” Her grandmother’s hand trembled as she reached up, brushing Taylor’s cheek with a frail touch. “I’m sorry for leaving this long.”

Taylor shook her head violently. “No—don’t apologize. I should be the one saying sorry. I should’ve been there. I should’ve—” Her voice cracked. “Why didn’t you tell me? The doctor told me you had heart disease! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her grandmother’s weak smile barely reached her eyes. “I didn’t want to worry you and Ira. Or your mother. She already has too much on her plate.” She took a shuddering breath. “Don’t worry about me, baby. I’ll bounce back.”

Taylor clenched her fists. “Grandma, you will probably die! This isn’t funny! Stop smiling!” Her sobs came faster, harder, as she shook her head.

Her grandmother’s smile faltered. “Even if I do…” Her voice wavered. “You’ll always have me there. I’ll watch over you and protect you, even at your lowest point. Keep being you, baby. I love you.”

Taylor blinked through her tears, her vision blurry.

Then—

Her grandmother’s hand went slack.

Her chest rose.

Fell.

And didn’t rise again.

The heart monitor let out a long, piercing beep.

Taylor’s breath caught.

“…Grandma?”

Her voice was small. A whisper.

She reached forward, her hands trembling as she shook her grandmother’s arm.

Nothing.

—

Yuwen Wakes Up

Yuwen gasped softly, his eyes blinking as the blurry hospital room came into focus.

“Yuwen!”

The whole group erupted, their voices echoing as they surged toward him. They hugged him gently, careful not to hurt him.

“Guys?… What are you doing here?” Yuwen frowned, his voice weak as he tried to hug them back.

“You crashed yourself!” Rochelle blinked, her brows furrowed as she lightly smacked his arm. “Do you have any idea how scared we were?!”

“I’m sorry…” Yuwen sighed, guilt washing over him. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his body, making him wince.

“Ah—ooh, take it easy,” Ms. Wang murmured softly, gently helping her son adjust himself.

“Thanks, Mom.” Yuwen’s smile was tired but genuine.

“We’re just so glad you woke up…” Vanessa wiped her eyes, her relief obvious.

Frank rushed into the room, out of breath. “He’s awake?!” He placed the flowers he brought on the bedside table, letting out a shaky sigh of relief.

Vanessa leaned into Frank, her hand gripping his arm for support.

Yuwen’s eyes scanned the faces around him—Kai still holding his hand, Rochelle wiping her eyes beneath her pink glasses, Tom standing beside her, quiet but visibly emotional. Even Laurie looked on with a small, relieved smile.

“I… I don’t know what to say…” Yuwen’s voice cracked as his lip quivered. His eyes grew watery. “I just… appreciate all of you—”

“God… why am I crying?” Yuwen chuckled softly, blinking away the tears, but they still fell.

The group laughed gently with him, their own eyes glossy.

“Don’t fight it.” Kai gave his hand a gentle squeeze, her smile warm and reassuring.

“I’m sorry…” Yuwen sighed, his expression turning serious. “I messed up a lot. But… I want to fix things. Starting with all of you.”

“Aww.” Vanessa smirked softly, her eyes softening.

“That means…” Ms. Wang gave him a pointed look, glancing down at his cast. “No sports for a while.”

Yuwen’s eyes went wide. “NOOO!” His face dropped in horror. “But my soccer videos… my practice…”

“You’ll survive.” His mom teased, a small smile tugging at her lips.

The doctor entered the room, clipboard in hand. “Alright, 5 more minutes. We need to run a few more tests.”

Everyone exchanged glances, knowing it was time to give Yuwen a little space.

—

The Breakup

As the group filed out of the room, Laurie lingered behind.

“Hey, Yuwen,” she called softly, turning back to him.

“Yeah?” Yuwen blinked, meeting her eyes.

Laurie hesitated for a moment, then took a small breath. “Um… I think I wanna break up.” Her voice was gentle but firm. “But I’d love to still be friends.”

Yuwen’s expression didn’t fall. He wasn’t surprised. If anything, he looked… relieved.

“Me too,” he murmured softly. “My feelings aren’t… quite right yet.” He smiled faintly. “I’d like that. Being friends.”

“Cool.” Laurie’s smile was a little brighter now. “Bye, Yuwen. See you in… what? Four days?” She winked, her tone light as she slipped out the door.

Yuwen leaned back against the pillows, exhaling slowly.

He had a lot to fix.

But for the first time in a long time…

He felt like he had a chance to make things right.

For real this time.

—

Moving On

“Yuwen will be free to go in four days!” The doctor smiled gently, her voice soft as she gave Ms. Wang the update.

Vanessa discreetly slipped a few bills into the doctor’s hand, trying to cover the costs so Ms. Wang wouldn’t have to.

“Vanessa, no—” Ms. Wang protested, but Vanessa shook her head.

“Please, let me do this,” she whispered. Ms. Wang’s eyes filled with gratitude but she didn’t argue.

As the group prepared to leave, Rochelle froze mid-step.

“Wait… is that Taylor?”

Everyone’s heads turned toward a hospital room nearby. Through the glass window, they saw Taylor, her mom, dad, and Ira… all crying.

“Oh my god…” Kai covered her mouth, her heart sinking.

Taylor opened the door suddenly, and it slammed against the wall.

Her footsteps echoed as she stormed toward the waiting room, her face pale, eyes swollen and red… but they were blank.

No light.

“Taylor…?” Vanessa’s voice was gentle as she stepped forward. “Are you okay?”

“DON’T—” Taylor flinched, backing away as if she couldn’t bear the thought of being touched.

Her hands shook, her breathing uneven. “I’m so—no… no. I’m so sorry.” Her voice cracked, and before anyone could say anything, she turned and bolted toward the bathroom.

“Taylor, wait!” Rochelle started to follow her, but—

“No.” Kai gently grabbed Rochelle’s arm, her expression full of quiet understanding. “She needs space.”

Rochelle blinked, torn, but after a moment… she sighed and nodded.

“You’re right,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“She’ll tell us when she’s ready,” Kai said softly.

The group exchanged somber glances before silently walking out.

—

After Night

Taylor refused to leave.

Ira was a wreck—sobbing nonstop as he clung to his mom. He didn’t even ask for his iPad or Roblox… and that’s how Taylor knew how much seeing their grandma’s body had shattered him.

She sat in the chair beside her grandma’s empty bed, her body numb.

Sometime during the night, they had taken her grandma to the morgue. Taylor hadn’t even realized how much time had passed.

When morning crept in, her body felt heavy as she finally stood up. Her throat was dry, her eyes hollow. She was about to leave to call her mom when—

Something caught her eye.

Yuwen.

He was sitting in his hospital bed, staring out the window, lost in thought.

Taylor hesitated, her heart pounding. But before she could think too much about it, her feet moved.

She slid quietly into the room, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yuwen… I heard what happened. I’m… I’m sorry.”

Yuwen’s head turned toward her, his eyes tired but warm.

“Taylor…?” His voice was soft, filled with surprise.

Taylor took a shaky breath, her hands clenching at her sides. “Look, I know I messed up… I really messed up.” Her voice quivered. “I pushed you away. I pushed everyone away because I was angry… jealous. And that wasn’t fair. To you, to the group… to anyone.”

Her eyes burned as she tried to hold it together, but the tears came anyway.

“I miss you,” she whispered, her voice barely holding steady.

Yuwen’s expression softened, his gaze gentle.

“Taylor… it’s okay.” His words were like a balm, but they made her heart ache more. “I was never mad at you. I just…” He paused, his eyes dropping to his hands. “I was trying to get over you.”

Taylor’s breath hitched.

“But it didn’t work.” Yuwen gave her a small, sad smile. “I was still stuck on you.”

Taylor’s lips parted, but no words came out.

“But now… I think it’s time for both of us to move on.” His voice was kind, but firm. “I want to be there for you, Taylor. Not as a boyfriend… but as a friend. Someone you can rely on. I’d really like that.”

Taylor blinked back tears, her heart feeling both heavy and… lighter.

She wanted to say something—anything—but all that came out was a shaky whisper.

“I… I’d love that too.”

And even though it hurt…

Maybe this was what they both needed.

To finally move forward.

Notes:

My original plan was to get taywen back together but..

IDK MAN. I RLLY LOVE TOM AND YUWEN BUT LIKE.. who do we put Taylor with?.. or maybe she done?

GUYS PLS VOTE IN THE COMMEHST WHAT SHIPS YOU WANNA SEE CAUSE I CANT

Chapter 13: “ Back to Basics. “

Summary:

Taylor struggles with grief and isolation, while Rochelle supports her. Laurie navigates personal changes, and the group makes efforts to cheer up Yuwen. Taylor struggles with grief and isolation, while Rochelle supports her. Laurie navigates personal changes, and the group makes efforts to cheer up Yuwen.

The next day at school…

Taylor wasn’t the same. She had no friends to turn to—her grandma was gone, and her ex-boyfriend was still in the hospital. The people she once called her “girl group” had ditched her, so Taylor left them without a word. Now, she sat alone at lunch, her head down as whispers and rumors spread like wildfire.

“Taylor hasn’t taken a shower in a month…”
“She looks awful.”
“Her followers are dropping… nobody likes her anymore.”

Taylor heard every word, but she didn’t care. She barely had the energy to exist, let alone respond. Her eyes were dull, her hair was greasy, and her clothes hung loose on her frame. The weight of her grief and isolation was crushing.

Rochelle noticed but didn’t push. She wanted to talk to Taylor, but seeing her like this… it was clear Taylor wasn’t in the mood. So, Rochelle gave her space.

Meanwhile…

Laurie felt lighter after breaking up with Yuwen. They were still friends, and things between them felt… easier now. She was rebuilding her relationship with Kai, and for the first time in a while, Laurie felt safe. But there was something else—something bigger—lingering in her mind. She just didn’t know when to ask Kai the question that had been weighing on her.

At home, Laurie had finally accepted her parents’ separation. Moving between two houses almost every week wasn’t ideal, but she was managing. It was her new normal.

Rochelle had her own work to do. Vanessa had practically dragged her into anger management after everything that had happened. Rochelle wasn’t thrilled at first, but she stuck with it. She was trying—trying to rebuild trust, trying to be better. And while she hadn’t fully come out yet, she was slowly realizing she was more attracted to girls.

Tom was still figuring things out. His relationship with his parents was as strained as ever. Deep down, he doubted it would ever get better, but at least he had his friends. They were his real family now.

Yuwen was still stuck in the hospital, but he didn’t mind as much as he thought he would. Everyone had forgiven him, and for the first time in a long time, life felt… okay. But with his leg in a cast and sports off the table, Yuwen was starting to think maybe he needed a break from relationships too.

Back in the hallway…

Taylor pushed past the whispers and stares, her eyes glued to the floor as she headed to class. She didn’t want to be there. She didn’t want to be anywhere.

Rochelle watched her go, her heart sinking. But Taylor looked so closed off, so distant, that Rochelle knew now wasn’t the time.

For Taylor, everything felt too far gone. And no one seemed to know how to reach her.

—

Taylor sat in the back of math class, a place she never used to sit.

She used to sit in the front, answering questions, and keeping up appearances. But now? She just wanted to disappear.

Rochelle noticed. She didn’t hesitate—grabbing her backpack and walking to the back.

“Rochelle, back to your seat, please.” The teacher’s voice was stern as she watched Rochelle move beside Taylor.

“No, thank you. Please continue teaching.” Rochelle didn’t even glance up. Taylor mattered more.

The teacher blinked, clearly thrown off. “Detention, young lady.”

“Cool, cool.” Rochelle didn’t care. She sat down beside Taylor, her eyes fixed on her.

“Hey, girl… what’s up?” Rochelle’s voice was soft, but there was something steady in it. She knew they had… issues before, but that didn’t matter right now.

Taylor barely lifted her eyes. They were dull, lifeless. Her lips were chapped, her hair greasy. And when their eyes finally met—for the first time in what felt like forever—Rochelle’s heart clenched.

“Hi.” Taylor’s voice was dry, barely a whisper. Her eyes were red and puffy, probably from crying for days.

Rochelle blinked, trying not to react to how… broken she looked. The smell hit her next—Taylor hadn’t showered in a while—but Rochelle didn’t flinch. Judging her wasn’t an option.

“What’s going on?” Rochelle’s voice softened. “It’s okay if you don’t wanna tell me. Just know… I’ll always be here. Even after all the drama, I’ll be there.”

Taylor’s eyes widened, just a little. She looked like she didn’t believe what she was hearing.

“I don’t know if I can be forgiven…” Taylor’s voice cracked. “I’m… so sorry.”

“Taylor.” Rochelle’s tone was gentle but firm. “It’s okay. I forgive you.”

Taylor’s lips quivered, her eyes glossing over. “Really?” Her voice was barely audible, shaky. She looked so vulnerable… like she was waiting for someone to tell her it was okay to breathe again.

“Of course, girl.” Rochelle gave her a small, reassuring smile.

Taylor’s brows furrowed, her face crumbling as she tried—and failed—to hold it together.

“Rochelle… you don’t know how much that means to me…” Her voice broke completely as a tear finally fell.

Rochelle didn’t wait. She moved closer, pulling Taylor into a hug despite the smell, despite everything.

Taylor froze for a moment… then her arms slowly wrapped around Rochelle. And that’s when she broke down, sobbing into Rochelle’s shoulder.

“It’s okay…” Rochelle murmured, rubbing her back gently. “You needed this.”

—

Kai and Laurie slipped into the bathroom stall, Laurie barely containing her giggles as she tried to keep quiet.

“Okay—okay,” Kai whispered, holding a finger to her lips. “Here’s your gift.” She unzipped her backpack with a mischievous grin.

“Kai! Did we really have to skip class for this?” Laurie whispered back, eyes wide with excitement.

“Yeah… it’s that important.” Kai chuckled softly, digging around her bag. Her hand emerged, holding something small and metallic.

Laurie blinked. “Wait… are those—”

“Car keys.” Kai’s smile grew wider.

“Huh?” Laurie’s jaw dropped. Her brain struggled to catch up.

“I bought you… a car.”

Laurie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Kai… no. You didn’t.” Her voice cracked, her eyes already getting misty.

“You couldn’t wait until my birthday?” Laurie’s voice was barely above a whisper now. She wasn’t even 16 yet—just a few days away.

“Nope.” Kai shrugged, her grin playful. “And it’s in your favorite color. I can’t tell you more than that.” She wagged the keys teasingly.

“Kai!!” Laurie’s emotions caught up all at once. Her face crumpled as she threw herself into Kai’s arms, hugging her tightly.

Her parents couldn’t afford a car right now. Things had been tight, and Laurie had pushed the idea of getting her own car to the back of her mind. But now…

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Laurie’s voice was muffled against Kai’s shoulder. “I don’t even know how to thank you for this…” She was this close to crying.

Kai blinked, caught off guard by the sudden hug. “Whoa—uh—Laurie, it’s fine! It was nothing!”

Laurie pulled back, her face inches from Kai’s. “Nothing?” Her eyes were glassy. “You bought me a car. That’s not ‘nothing,’ Kai.”

Kai’s smile softened, her eyes flickering with something Laurie couldn’t quite place. Admiration? Maybe something… more?

“Well… you’re welcome. It’s my pleasure,” Kai murmured softly.

Laurie’s heart thudded in her ears. She swallowed hard, realizing just how close they were.

“Uh…” Kai cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly flushed. “We should probably get to class, yeah?”

“Yeah…” Laurie forced a chuckle, trying to steady herself. “That… that would be smart.” She cleared her throat, stepping back as her mind spun.

⸻

Meanwhile, Tom was slumped over his desk, staring at the clock like it might magically speed up.

Everyone else had advanced classes. He was stuck here… alone. His head hit the desk with a groan.

Why can’t I be smart like them?

His thoughts drifted to Yuwen. Maybe he could do something nice for him. Flowers? No… too romantic. A gift card? Too boring.

Ugh! Tom groaned, dragging his hands down his face.

“What the hell do I get for someone like Yuwen?” he mumbled under his breath, already regretting his lack of ideas.

This was going to be harder than he thought.

(Also, if y’all didn’t know. Rochelle already came out to Tom. So, he’s not attracted to her no mo.. sorry my Tom x Rochelle shippers)

—

Taylor and Rochelle walked side by side down the hallway, hands intertwined. Rochelle’s expression was sharp—eyes narrowed, jaw tight. Anyone who even thought about saying something to Taylor quickly looked away.

Rochelle’s reputation was enough to make people reconsider their words. And if not? Well… they’d regret it.

“Thanks, Rochelle…” Taylor mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. She tugged her hood lower over her head, hiding her face. “You don’t have to do that, y’know…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Rochelle replied softly, giving Taylor’s hand a gentle squeeze. She turned her head and flashed her a small smile—one that softened her normally fierce expression.

Taylor’s heart fluttered. Her face heated, and she glanced down quickly. “Yeah…” she murmured, her voice trailing off as they walked toward class.

⸻

“Hey, guys!”

Laurie’s familiar voice echoed behind them. Taylor barely had time to react before Laurie threw her arms around her, giving her a quick side-hug.

“Laurie?…” Taylor blinked, her guard immediately up. Her voice was laced with guilt. “I… I’m sorry—”

“It’s okay, Taylor.” Laurie pulled back, her eyes warm and full of understanding. “I was never mad at you.”

Taylor’s throat tightened. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear that. Laurie looked… happier. A glow in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“Uhh, so…” Laurie’s grin grew as she leaned closer. “Y’all free to come to my sweet 16 on Friday?”

Rochelle’s face lit up instantly. “Oh my God! Of course!” She practically squealed, squeezing Taylor’s hand excitedly.

Taylor’s head lifted slightly, her hood no longer covering as much of her face. “I’m… invited?”

Laurie blinked, looking confused. “Of course? Why wouldn’t you be?”

Taylor’s lips parted, but no words came out. For a moment, her chest felt lighter. “Oh… thanks, Laurie. I’ll be there.” Her voice was softer, and for the first time in a while, her eyes almost had that familiar sparkle again. Almost. She still had a lot to make up for.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Rochelle chimed in, her excitement contagious.

Laurie giggled. “Haha! Bye, Roch! Bye, Tay.” She gave them a playful wave before heading off, no doubt on her way to find Kai.

Taylor watched her go, her heart a little less heavy.

—

Tom caught up with Kai and Laurie, a little out of breath.

“Guys… I don’t know what to get Yuwen.” His voice was soft, full of guilt. “I just feel so bad for him, y’know?”

“Yuwen?” Kai’s eyes lit up. “Omg, we should all make him something!” She was already getting excited, her mind racing with ideas.

“Yes! That would be so fun.” Laurie’s face brightened, her steps quickening as she walked between them.

Tom’s smile returned. “Whose house?”

“Hm…” Kai tapped her chin, shrugging. “Maybe mine?”

“Yeah, after school!” Tom nodded, feeling a little more hopeful.

“Yes! Let’s go shopping for supplies after telling the others.” Laurie’s voice was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Cool, let’s do it.” Kai smirked, already planning everything in her head.

—

After School

Kai and Rochelle’s Messages

Contact Name: roch 💞💞

Kai: yo, we about to go shopping. Wya

Rochelle: bro im in detention, snuck my phone

Kai: really? omg, for how long?

Rochelle: only for 30 more mins…

Kai: kk, we will wait in front of the school.

Rochelle: alr

—

“Her ass is in detention,” Kai sighed, unbuckling her seatbelt as they pulled up to the school.

Laurie sat in the front, while Taylor and Tom chilled in the back.

“Really? For what this time?” Laurie raised an eyebrow.

“No idea.” Kai pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head.

Meanwhile…

“Yo, you good?” Tom glanced at Taylor, who had been quiet the whole ride.

“Yeah… just thinking.” Taylor’s eyes were glued to her phone, her expression blank as she scrolled through her plummeting follower count.

“About?” Tom asked softly.

“What to do…” Taylor muttered, her thumb hovering over the ‘Delete Account’ button on TikTok.

“Whoa, you really about to…?” Tom blinked, leaning forward.

“Yeah… no other choice, really.” Taylor’s voice was tired, drained. “I need to take a break.”

“If it’ll make you feel better, go ahead.” Tom’s tone was gentle, giving her the space to decide.

Taylor took a deep breath… then pressed it. Logged off.

She blinked, exhaling slowly. “Feeling better?” Tom asked, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

“Indeed.” Taylor leaned back, her eyes finally relaxing for the first time in days.

“Yo, Kai?” Taylor suddenly spoke up. “Could you take me over to my place after this? I… I wanna take a shower.” She realized how bad she smelled, her nose scrunching.

“Girl, I thought you’d never ask.” Kai glanced at her through the rearview mirror, her tone light but understanding.

Taylor let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.

—

Rochelle finally got out of detention, dragging herself toward Kai’s car.

“Had fun?” Tom teased, leaning against the door.

“Whatchu think?” Rochelle rolled her eyes, tossing her bag in the back. “The teacher was snoring so loud, I thought I was in a damn sawmill.”

The car burst into laughter.

“Come on, let’s go.” Kai chuckled, shifting the car into gear.

—

They hit up a few stores for supplies—markers, posters, and random stuff that screamed ‘we love you.’

Kai grabbed some snacks while Rochelle argued with a cashier over a coupon that wasn’t valid. Laurie debated which glitter glue to get, while Tom stood awkwardly in the corner, texting.

Hours later, back at Kai’s place…

“Hmm… let’s put his favorite sport! Soccer!” Laurie suggested, drawing a tiny soccer ball with a blue marker.

“Omg, and we gotta add softball for nostalgia.” Rochelle grabbed a green marker and scribbled a lopsided softball beside it.

They kept adding things—hearts, stars, doodles of themselves.

“WE MISS YOU! GET BETTER!” was written boldly across the middle in red sharpie.

“Perfect!” Kai clapped her hands together, and everyone followed.

“I… also bought flowers.” Tom mumbled, almost too quietly.

“Aw!” Rochelle’s eyes gleamed. “You got that for Yuwen?”

Tom’s face instantly turned red. “Not like that! Friendly… friendly flowers.”

“I always knew something was up after that sleepover at Taylor’s… that truth or dare game?” Kai snickered, her grin widening as the memory hit.

“No! That was because—never mind.” Tom groaned, rubbing his forehead.

“Haha! Let’s go to the hospital, guys.” Kai shook her head, still laughing as they packed everything up.

—

At the hospital…

They checked in at the front desk before heading up to Yuwen’s room.

As soon as they entered, Yuwen’s face lit up.

“Guys!” He waved excitedly, his arms still wrapped in light bandages, but he was definitely on the mend.

“Hi, Yuwen!” The group echoed in unison.

“Oooh! What’s that?” Yuwen’s grin grew wider when he spotted the colorful poster.

“We got you gifts.” Kai explained, nudging Laurie and Taylor to hold it up.

Yuwen’s mouth fell open, his eyes wide. “Guyyyysssss… you didn’t have to.”

“Also… here, man.” Tom stepped forward, holding out the roses. His face was beet red, clearly regretting everything in that moment.

Yuwen blinked. “For me?”

Tom gave a stiff nod, looking anywhere but at Yuwen.

“Mhm…”

Yuwen’s lips quivered as he took the flowers, carefully placing them in the vase beside his bed.

“I’m so grateful.” His voice was softer now, his eyes moving across the group. “I appreciate this so much.”

Rochelle and Kai exchanged a knowing look.

“So, uh… you’ll be out by the time, but… you’re invited to my sweet 16!” Laurie chimed in, her tone hopeful.

Yuwen’s smile faltered. His lip trembled as he whispered, “Really?”

“Are you seriously about to cry?” Rochelle blinked, her face twisting in mild horror.

Yuwen couldn’t hold it back anymore. He started hysterically crying.

Everyone froze.

“Wow…” Kai rubbed the back of her neck, clearly not prepared for this.

“Bro…” Tom mumbled, looking down at his shoes, trying to hide his secondhand embarrassment.

“Okay, okay…” Rochelle grabbed a tissue, shoving it in Yuwen’s direction. “We get it, you’re touched.”

Yuwen just kept crying, sniffling loudly as he wiped his face.

“Man, this was supposed to be a happy visit.” Kai shook her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips.

“Yuwen, pull yourself together.” Rochelle’s voice was firm but soft.

“Sorry, sorry…” Yuwen sniffled again, finally calming down. “I’m just… really happy.”

The group exchanged glances, smiling softly.

“Good.” Laurie squeezed his hand gently. “Because we’re not going anywhere.”

Chapter 14: “ Sweet 16. “

Summary:

It was the evening of Laurie’s Sweet 16, the friendgroup all attended of course

It was Friday—the day of Laurie’s Sweet 16.

Everyone picked out their outfits, excited for the night. It was extra special since the group was finally back together. Yuwen had been discharged from the hospital, and after a lot of practice, he’d learned how to get around on crutches or with his wheelchair. It was tough, but he managed.

Laurie wanted the night to be memorable, and her dad had pulled together enough to rent a beautiful banquet hall.

—

Before the party, Laurie had her makeup done by professionals. The look was simple but elegant, matching her theme of sea green and gold. Her dress was breathtaking—sea green with an off-the-shoulder bodice embroidered with delicate silver designs that shimmered like sunlight on water. The voluminous skirt, layered like soft waves, had intricate floral lace that caught the light like seafoam. A subtle sparkle woven throughout gave the gown an almost ethereal glow.

“You look gorgeous, honey. Want me to walk you down?” Coach Dan stood at the door, his voice softer than usual.

“Dad! It’s not a wedding…” Laurie giggled, slipping on her heels.

“I know, I know… you’re just growing up too fast.” His smile was proud, but his eyes glistened.

Laurie smiled gently, taking his arm. “It’s okay, Dad. I’m only 16.”

Coach Dan’s throat tightened. “I remember when you were just 12…”

“Daaaddd…” Laurie groaned, laughing softly. She wasn’t about to sit through that speech again.

—

At the banquet hall, Yuwen, Rochelle, Taylor, Tom, and a few others were already there, waiting for Laurie. They kept themselves busy with games, snacks, and light dancing, but they all knew the real fun wouldn’t start until the birthday girl arrived.

Tom cleared his throat and walked over to Yuwen, who was in his wheelchair. “May I say, you look quite fascinating, my friend,” Tom said, trying to sound like a prince.

Yuwen chuckled, playing along. “I could say the same for you, kind fellow.” His sea green tailored suit and gold tie made him look sharp.

Tom wore the same color scheme but reversed—keeping the gold cool and subtle. The two laughed, both trying to hide the blush creeping up their necks.

—

Meanwhile, Rochelle and Taylor were by the snack table, their plates piled high.

“Ugh! I love Sweet 16 treats!” Rochelle’s voice was muffled as she stuffed her mouth.

“Same,” Taylor mumbled between bites. She wasn’t fully herself yet—still missing her grandma and feeling the sting of the rumors at school—but being here, with her friends, helped.

Rochelle wore a short, sea green dress that hugged her curves perfectly, with delicate ruffles trailing from top to bottom. Taylor’s dress was simpler, the same color but without the ruffles. But as much as Taylor tried to focus on the food… she couldn’t stop glancing at Rochelle.

She never thought she’d be attracted to girls… right?

—

Outside, Kai and her dad stood near the dark green Jeep Kai had bought Laurie. They weren’t taking any chances, making sure no one messed with it. Real security guarded the entrance, but they were the backup.

Kai had chosen the Jeep because it fit Laurie’s love for the outdoors. And while her dad checked the locks one last time, he gave Kai a knowing look.

He knew how much Kai loved Laurie. And he was proud of her.

Kai wore a sea green suit, staying true to her style. She didn’t like dresses, and tonight was no exception. Her dreads were down for a change, cascading over her shoulders—a rare sight. But tonight was special. For Laurie… she didn’t mind.

—

Laurie rolled up in her rich auntie’s Mercedes-Benz, making an entrance that turned heads. The sleek car pulled up smoothly, and as the doors swung open, Laurie stepped out, her arm looped through her father’s. Security backed up, immediately opening the banquet hall doors.

She stepped onto the sea green carpet.

Gasps filled the air.

Her entrance music played, the beat echoing through the hall.

“Woah…” The entire friend group said in unison, eyes locked on her.

Especially Kai, who had come back inside to catch Laurie’s arrival—and almost tripped at the sight.

“OH, THAT’S MY GIRL!!” Rochelle, ever the hype woman, jumped up and down… nearly slipping on her heels.

For once, Taylor didn’t feel jealous that she wasn’t the center of attention. This was Laurie’s night, and Taylor couldn’t have been happier for her.

Yuwen’s eyes sparkled—not with love, but admiration. Laurie looked absolutely radiant.

Tom stood in awe, watching her glide down the carpet.

“Hi, everyone!” Laurie waved shyly at her family, her friends, and the other classmates who had gathered.

Kai stepped closer as Laurie gave her dad’s arm a quick pat.

“Thanks, Dad,” Laurie murmured softly.

Coach Dan gave her a warm smile.
“Anytime.”

—

The party was in full swing. Music boomed, real food was being served, and the dance floor was packed.

Laurie had her own sea green and gold throne—a special touch provided by the venue. She sat gracefully, posing for photos while her dad checked in every few minutes to make sure she was okay.

“I’m fine, Dad. Go have fun,” Laurie reassured him with a small smile.

“Look here!” Her uncle held up his phone.

“No, over here!” Her other aunt called, holding up her Polaroid.

Laurie’s smile started to falter. The flashing cameras, the constant attention—it was all becoming a little too much. Her grip on her dress tightened.

Until—

“That’s enough. Let her breathe.”

Kai was suddenly at her side, grabbing her hand and gently pulling her away.

Laurie exhaled, her body relaxing. “Thanks, Kai…”

“No problem.” Kai grinned. “Come on, let’s dance.”

“Kai… I don’t dance.” Laurie laughed softly, but her protest fell on deaf ears.

The moment they reached the dance floor, a circle formed around her.

Laurie sighed, giving in. She did a little move, just to satisfy them.

“WHOOP, WHOOP! GO, LAUR!” Rochelle cheered, her arm draped over Taylor’s shoulder.

Taylor, holding her fruit punch, joined in. “Yesss!”

The cheering gave Laurie confidence. Her little moves turned into something more as her smile grew.

Kai watched with admiration, her eyes never leaving Laurie. “Wow…”

“Get over here, girls!” Laurie motioned for Rochelle, Taylor, and Kai to join her.

Rochelle pulled Taylor along, dancing beside Laurie, while Kai chuckled and joined in.

The crowd erupted, everyone dancing together.

“Woah!” Laurie gasped as Kai suddenly lifted her off the ground and spun her.

“Weee!” Laurie giggled, kicking her feet before landing gracefully back on the floor.

Kai’s hands stayed on her waist, holding her steady. Their eyes met.

“You look… gorgeous tonight,” Kai murmured, her voice softer than usual.

Laurie’s breath hitched. “Thank you. You look pretty too… I noticed your hair’s down.” Her cheeks flushed.

“Yeah… all for you.”

They chuckled softly, falling back into the rhythm of the music, dancing close.

—

Nearby, Rochelle and Taylor had ditched any semblance of graceful moves, breaking out into silly dances and laughing uncontrollably.

“Okay, okay—what was that?!” Taylor cackled, nearly dropping her drink.

“Don’t ask! Just vibe!” Rochelle twirled dramatically, making Taylor laugh harder.

The night was perfect. And for once… everyone felt exactly where they belonged.

—

Yuwen and Tom danced off to the side, a little away from the chaos. Yuwen couldn’t exactly dance since he was in a wheelchair, but Tom wasn’t about to let that stop them.

“Uh… so, wanna dance?” Tom asked, a little awkward but hopeful.

Yuwen raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? Really funny.” He tried to play it off, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away.

“Boq and Nessa did it. Why can’t we?” Tom shrugged, putting his drink down on the table.

“Tom… that’s a movie. We are not doing that,” Yuwen groaned, shaking his head.

“Doesn’t hurt to try.” Tom smirked, holding out his hands dramatically.

Yuwen sighed, clearly fighting the urge to roll his eyes. “This is gonna be so embarrassing…” But he still grabbed Tom’s hands.

Tom grinned, pulling him onto the dance floor. They started moving—awkward at first, all hands and arms, not really sure what they were doing. Yuwen’s wheels squeaked a little as Tom tried to spin him.

Rochelle glanced over and immediately lost it. “Ahaha! Look!” She grabbed Taylor’s arm, twirling her around so she could see.

“Wait…” Taylor squinted, her eyes narrowing. “That lowkey looks like that scene from Wicked.”

“Right?!” Rochelle gasped, her face lighting up.

Meanwhile, Yuwen sighed dramatically. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Isn’t it fun!?” Tom’s face lit up, his smile wider than ever. He was having the time of his life.

“…I guess.” Yuwen finally gave in, his own smile creeping back. He couldn’t deny it—he was actually enjoying this.

“Aww… they look so cute,” Rochelle murmured softly, her teasing tone fading into genuine affection.

Taylor didn’t even feel the usual twinge of jealousy. She just… agreed.

“Yeah… they do.” Her smile widened as she watched them, feeling at peace for once.

(Sorry my Taywen shippers… might as well leave this fic.)

—

Thirty minutes later…

Kai and Laurie stood by the snack table, giggling and feeding each other. There was no way they were “just friends” anymore.

“You… want this strawberry?” Laurie asked, holding one up to Kai’s lips while she chewed.

“Yes!” Kai leaned in, letting Laurie pop it in her mouth.

“Mmmh!” Kai hummed, savoring the sweetness.

Laurie scanned the table again. “How about… a chocolate-covered banana?” She raised an eyebrow, grabbing a banana slice and dipping it in the chocolate fountain.

Laurie opened her mouth, and Kai carefully brought the skewer toward her, trying not to mess up her makeup… but a bit of chocolate landed on the corner of Laurie’s lip.

“Oops!” Kai bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

“What? What happened?” Laurie gasped, covering her face.

“No, no, it’s just…” Kai giggled, pointing. “It’s on the side of your lip.”

“Kai! Get it!” Laurie whined, uncovering her face.

“Okay, okay…” Kai smirked softly, grabbing a napkin. She gently wiped the chocolate away, but her hand lingered a second too long.

Kai’s eyes flickered to Laurie’s lips. She couldn’t stop staring.

Laurie blinked up at her, eyes full of warmth and affection.

Kai cleared her throat, snapping herself out of it. She really, really wanted to kiss Laurie—but not now.

“Uh… anyway.” Kai shifted, her voice a little higher. “How about gifts?” She needed a distraction. Fast.

Laurie’s eyes lit up, already knowing about the car. “Yes!”

—

At the fancy tables, Taylor and Rochelle sat—eating again.

“Ugh… this bread is so good,” Taylor mumbled, taking another bite of the buttered bread.

“I know, right?” Rochelle rested her chin on her hand, barely looking at her plate. Her eyes were fixed on Taylor.

Taylor glanced up and blinked. “You okay?”

“Hmm?” Rochelle smiled, snapping out of her daze. “Oh, yeah. I was just… wondering if you’re feeling any better?”

Taylor swallowed. “Somewhat. I’m just glad I have all of you back in my life again.”

“Me too.” Rochelle’s smirk softened, and she sipped her Coke, her eyes never leaving Taylor.

Taylor gulped, her heart pounding. Being around Rochelle made her feel… different. And she was starting to realize why.

—

Outside, everyone gathered around.

Laurie stood in front of a giant object covered by a huge sheet, her heart pounding.

“Behold…” Kai gripped the cover dramatically. “My gift to the most beautiful girl ever.”

Laurie’s cheeks flushed. “Aww…”

Kai’s dad, James, recorded the moment, grinning like a proud parent.

Kai yanked the cover off, revealing the dark green Jeep.

Laurie gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

“AAH!!” She squealed, fanning herself to keep from crying.

Kai’s grin grew wider at her excitement.

Laurie didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her dress so she wouldn’t trip, ran straight toward Kai… and pulled her into a kiss.

Kai’s eyes widened in surprise, but she melted into it instantly, wrapping her arms around Laurie’s waist.

The crowd erupted with cheers.

“Aww!!”

Coach Dan’s eyes watered as he clutched Frank’s arm.

“Poor thing…” Frank sighed, deadpanned as he patted Dan’s back.

“GO KAI!” James cheered, practically shaking his phone.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, eyes locked.

“I love you,” they said in unison, giggling softly.

“I love you too!” They spoke at the same time again and burst out laughing.

“OMG, IT HAPPENED!!” Rochelle and Taylor screamed, shaking each other in pure excitement.

Yuwen and Tom, standing off to the side, glanced at each other…

And suddenly, they both felt very nervous.

—

As the party wound down…

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Laurie spoke softly into the microphone, standing at the center of the hall.

Everyone’s eyes were on her.

“It means the world to me… really.” Her voice wavered slightly, but her smile never faded. “And… I feel even happier because I finally have a girlfriend—and she’s the best.” Laurie’s eyes lit up as she pointed at Kai.

Kai’s face turned bright red, but she was grinning ear to ear.

“These past few months… they’ve been hard.” Laurie’s expression softened as she glanced down, memories of all the drama flooding back.

The friend group exchanged quiet, regretful glances.

“But I’m so glad we worked through it.” Laurie sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. “I don’t know what I’d do without you all.” She glanced at them, her voice warm. “Shout-out to Rochelle, Tom, Yuwen, Taylor… and Kai.”

Laurie chuckled, wiping her eyes as the tears threatened to spill. “I don’t even know why I’m about to cry… I just love you all so much.”

“Aww,” the crowd cooed in unison.

“Have a good night, everyone.” Laurie ended with a little curtsy, her smile radiant.

Kai didn’t waste a second. She ran up to Laurie, grabbing her and spinning her into another kiss.

Laurie giggled against her lips, her arms draping over Kai’s shoulders as Kai held her close.

The room erupted with applause.

“FUCK YEEEEESSSSS!!” Rochelle’s voice echoed through the hall, making everyone laugh.

Taylor, watching from the sidelines, felt a warmth bloom in her chest. She was so proud of Kai. She did it.

—

Later, after everyone had left, the friend group sat outside on the field, gazing up at the stars.

The girls’ heels had long been ditched, their feet sore from dancing.

“Thanks for inviting us, Laur,” Rochelle murmured, her eyes on the night sky. “Tonight was the best.”

“Yeah,” Yuwen sighed, lying beside Tom. His leg felt numb, but the pain wasn’t as bad anymore. His wheelchair was nearby, but he was happy just to be there. “I’m just glad to be out of the hospital…”

Laurie’s smile was soft, full of love. “No problem. I love you guys.”

“We love you too,” they all echoed, their voices quiet but full of warmth.

—

Tom was driving Yuwen home, the quiet hum of the car filling the space between them. Tom had offered to take him earlier in the night when Yuwen’s mom fell sick with the flu. She was okay, just a little under the weather, but Yuwen hadn’t wanted to cancel.

Tom slid the wheelchair into the back of the car and then, with surprising ease, lifted Yuwen in his arms like he was a child and placed him gently in the passenger seat.

“So embarrassing,” Yuwen groaned, adjusting himself in the seat and buckling up.

Tom kneeled beside him, a playful smirk on his face. “Would you rather try to get in here yourself?”

Yuwen met his gaze, feeling his heart skip a beat. He could feel the warmth rising to his cheeks. “No…”

“Exactly,” Tom chuckled, standing up and shutting the passenger door before walking around to the driver’s side.

There was an awkward silence as Tom started the car, the engine rumbling to life.

“Uh, thanks for staying by my side tonight,” Yuwen muttered, the words coming out more quietly than he’d intended. He couldn’t quite bring himself to make eye contact, fiddling with his seatbelt.

Tom blinked, his face turning a little redder than usual. “Yeah… no problem.” He finally buckled up, still a bit flustered.

Neither of them knew what to say next, but the comfortable quiet between them felt more meaningful than either was willing to admit.

-

Last chapter next..

Notes:

Lmk if y’all want a junior, senior year. I’ll be happy to do so, but I’ll need more drama ideas and shit.

Chapter 15: “ Finale. “

Summary:

the story comes to a close

The school year flew by, and somehow, the friend group managed to piece themselves back together. Trust rebuilt. Bonds strengthened. Disagreements didn’t fester anymore—they got talked out, worked through. They knew how to show up for each other now.

Laurie, now officially dating Kai, was happier than ever. Everything felt brighter with Kai in her life—someone who loved her for who she was, quirks and all. Laurie finally felt balanced, accepting her divorced parents and loving them equally, knowing her friends were always in her corner.

Kai had made amends with Yuwen. She realized, a little too late, that she’d never actually told him about her feelings for Laurie back when it mattered. But Yuwen forgave her. They became best friends again—closer than before. Kai loved giving Laurie gifts, loving her loudly, and being part of her world. She hoped that wouldn’t change.

Rochelle was tackling her anger head-on. Between therapy and her TikTok updates on her anger management journey—mixed with her iconic GRWM videos—she was finding balance. She hadn’t asked Taylor out yet; it still felt a little too soon. Maybe next year. Vanessa was proud of her daughter’s growth, and Frank? He felt like more than a stepdad now—he felt like someone who truly mattered.

Yuwen was still healing from the injury, physically and emotionally. But he was slowly becoming more himself—no masks, no fronts. Just Yuwen. Even if things with Taylor didn’t work out, it felt freeing to start fresh. As for Tom… they hadn’t put a label on anything. They were just building something strong, something real.

Taylor was in therapy now. She’d stepped away from TikTok for a while. The quiet helped. So did spending time with Ira and her dad. The arguments with her mom had simmered down, and for the first time in a long time, they were talking instead of shouting. She still missed her grandma deeply—visiting her grave, talking to her when no one else could listen, even if she always ended up crying. Her old girl group fell apart, and honestly? That was a relief. The school still whispered, but Taylor didn’t crumble under it anymore. She was starting to believe in herself, even if it wasn’t perfect yet.

Tom had officially moved in with Rochelle—thanks to Vanessa’s help and all the legal steps handled. He was happier there. Safe. Sometimes, though, he still hoped his parents might come around. That maybe one day they’d call. Until then, he focused on Yuwen—bringing him flowers, walking him to class, helping out where he could. “Platonically,” he always claimed, but Yuwen saw right through him. And maybe he let him pretend. Maybe next year, they’d figure it out.

—

“I’m so excited for the summer!” Taylor said, spreading her face mask evenly in the mirror of Laurie’s bathroom.

“Righttt?” Kai mumbled, her head resting comfortably in Laurie’s lap as Laurie gently braided her dreads.

“I’ve been dreading for the sun to finally come out.” Rochelle groaned dramatically, stretched out on the carpet, clearly over the cold.

“I can’t even play in soccer camp.” Yuwen sighed, frowning as he adjusted his cast.

“Well… maybe it’s your chance to try something new.” Tom said with a shrug, not looking up from his phone.

“Wait, guys—” Kai sat up suddenly, eyes bright. “I have an idea.”

The group looked at her, curious. “What?”

. . .

Later that day, they were all gathered at the old softball field.

“How am I supposed to pitch like this!?” Yuwen asked, sitting on the bleachers with a skeptical look.

“It’s easy,” Tom said with a grin, helping him up and guiding him to the pitcher’s mound. “I got you.”

Yuwen gave the ball a hesitant toss toward Kai at bat.

Kai smacked it effortlessly.

“Still got it!” she beamed, trotting off to first base.

“Woo!” Rochelle cheered, crouched as the catcher with her glove up high.

Laurie watched from the bleachers, sipping on juice through a straw. Chill.

“Come on, Laurie,” Kai called, holding out the bat. “Let’s see if you learned anything.”

Laurie tensed. “You know I can’t…”

“Tryyy!” Rochelle begged, giving her the full puppy eyes.

Laurie groaned but laughed as she stood up. “Fine.”

Tom helped steady Yuwen again, making sure his stance wouldn’t strain his leg.

Yuwen tried to focus on the pitch, but with Tom so close, his brain went a little fuzzy.

Laurie closed her eyes—tight. The ball came.

CRACK.

It flew.

Everyone watched it soar.

“Oh my—” Rochelle gasped. “Laurie, you did it!”

Kai and Rochelle tackled her in a hug, jumping up and down.

Laurie stood frozen for a second, then laughed with them, the bat clattering to the dirt.

Taylor watched from the sidelines, content. She’d outgrown softball, left that part of herself behind. And for once, that felt okay. She didn’t miss it. She was proud of who she’d become—and proud of them, too.

Maybe next year… this would still be here.

This group. This feeling.

Maybe, just maybe… it would last.

Notes:

Yo this has to be one of the best fics I made yet, I absolutely loved writing this!

I thank all of you for the support! They may be a summer arc or more of them in later high school years. But, like.. I’m out of drama ideas —

UNTIL NEXT TIMEEE

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of WIN OR LOSE