Caught off Guard!

Ding-dong!

The sound echoed through the quiet house, pulling Kai from her thoughts. She tossed her phone onto the bed with a sigh. They're early, she thought, half-annoyed, half-excited as she swung her legs off the mattress and padded toward the stairs.

Her steps were measured as she descended, each creak of the wooden staircase sounding louder than it should have. The stillness of the house was broken only by the rhythmic brushing of her hands against her loungewear, as though dusting off invisible specks. They're probably here again, she thought, her heartbeat quickening at the thought of seeing Zteel at her doorstep.

Her hand hesitated on the doorknob. She inhaled deeply, smoothing the hem of her shirt and willing her expression into something casual. Confident. When she finally swung the door open, the words she had rehearsed vanished into a hollow silence.

"Naomi?"

Her friend stood there, framed by the hazy afternoon light. The look on her face—a strange mix of concern and calm—set Kai immediately on edge.

"Hey, Kai." Naomi's tone was unreadable as she glanced past her into the empty hallway. "Can I come in?"

Kai blinked, caught off guard by the sight of Naomi instead of the group she'd mentally prepared for. She stepped aside without a word, wondering why the sudden presence of her closest friend filled her with a faint, undeniable sense of apprehension.

"Sure. Uh—yeah, come in."

As Naomi entered, the familiar scent of lavender and something faintly floral followed her, wrapping the room in a warmth Kai couldn't quite embrace. Maybe it was because of… she began to think, but the thought trailed off before she could pin it down.

Naomi turned to face her, studying her in that way only someone who'd known her for years could. "I talked to Fazian," she said quietly, her voice steady.

Kai froze, the air between them growing heavy.

"Okay…?" she ventured cautiously.

Naomi chuckled, her tone disbelieving. "You didn't tell me you went to a café with Fazian."

Kai sighed, placing a hand on her forehead. "Oh, my gods. Why'd he tell you that? He—"

"And for the record," Naomi interrupted, holding up a finger before settling onto the couch, "before you get mad at him—I went to him. You know I only go out of my way to talk to Fazian if it's not through you. That should tell you something."

Kai crossed her arms, watching as Naomi continued.

"It took some convincing to get it out of him. You know how he is—the sky could be falling, and he'd still say he's fine."

Kai chuckled nervously.

Naomi's laugh was different—lighter, but tinged with disbelief. "I'm your best friend. Why didn't you tell me?"

Kai shook her head. "It wasn't some secret, Naomi. Why would I hide it? It's not like it was a date or anything."

"Mhm."

"No, seriously," Kai insisted. "I mean, did he call it that?" She gestured toward Naomi, who shook her head.

"Exactly. It was—as we mutually agreed—a hangout between friends."

"Okay, but you're missing the point," Naomi countered. "Café aside, he's worried about you. And so am I. Why do you think he's upset?"

Kai shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because he…" Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Naomi nodded, her tone sarcastic. "It's because you've gone AWOL—not just from him, but from me too. What's going on?"

Kai threw her hands up. "I've just got a lot going on," she stammered. "School's getting to me."

"And your Photographic Modus hasn't been helping with that?" Naomi pressed, her sharp gaze unrelenting.

Kai grew uneasy. Naomi was smart—too smart to take a throwaway answer at face value. "Well, it's not just that. My parents are planning to visit soon, which is great, but I don't know the exact date yet. The anticipation's killing me."

"Right." Naomi nodded, folding her hands in her lap. A small smile tugged at her lips. "You know what I'm about to say, don't you?"

"Naomi, please," Kai laughed, shaking her head.

"I believe you," Naomi said, leaning forward slightly. "I believe everything you've said is true. But there's this little concept called 'lying by omission.'"

Kai laughed, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You know what I'm talking about. There's more you're not telling me," Naomi said, leaning forward, her gaze unwavering. "And while I could sit here all day trying to decipher you like some impossible puzzle, I know exactly how stubborn you can be. I just want you to know we're thinking about you. But don't go forgetting about us, okay? That's all."

Kai rolled her eyes, letting out a small huff. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you."

Her dismissive tone earned her a sharp look from Naomi, whose expression turned fierce.

"I'm serious, Kai," Naomi pressed.

"Alright, alright! I understand," Kai said, throwing up her hands in mock surrender.

"Good!" Naomi's face softened into a grin as she leaned back, adjusting herself comfortably on the couch. "Now, what I do have the patience for is gossip. So, sit down." She patted the cushion beside her with a smug smile. "I've got a lot to tell you about."