Hidden Emotions And Rising Tensions

Lisa could feel it—something was shifting. Baskhar was always around her, his bright eyes watching her every move, his words always carefully chosen. At first, she thought he was just being friendly, but now? Now, she wasn't so sure.

Iris, on the other hand, noticed everything. Every time Baskhar smiled at Lisa, every time he leaned in to talk to her, it felt like a knife twisting deeper into her heart. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but how could she, when he only had eyes for Lisa?

At home, things weren't any better. Grace was still glued to her phone, laughing at texts from her boyfriend, completely ignoring everything and everyone around her.

Felix couldn't stand it anymore. One evening, as they sat in the living room, he finally spoke up.

"Don't you think you should spend some time with us instead of your boyfriend for once?" His voice was sharp.

Grace barely looked up from her phone. "And why do you care? It's not like you miss me."

Felix scoffed, shaking his head. "You're impossible." He stood up and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

Lisa, who had been sitting quietly, felt the tension grow heavier. Felix rarely lost his temper, but Grace had pushed him too far.

The next morning, as Lisa stepped out of Felix's car at school, she barely had time to take a breath before Elsa, Erica, and Linda approached—again.

"Still playing bodyguard to the poor girl, Felix?" Linda smirked, flipping her blonde hair.

"You could be with anyone, and yet you waste your time on her." Elsa scoffed.

Felix sighed, completely unbothered. He shoved his hands into his pockets and smirked. "And yet, here you are, talking about her again. Obsessed much?"

Lisa stifled a laugh as the Barbie girls' faces twisted in irritation.

"Whatever," Erica huffed. "You're just as much of a loser as she is."

Felix rolled his eyes and walked away without another word. Lisa followed him, shaking her head. "You really don't care what people think, do you?"

Felix shrugged. "Why should I?"

Lisa didn't have an answer.

Later that day, Lisa sat in the cafeteria, minding her own business, when Baskhar appeared.

"Mind if I sit here?" he asked with his usual grin.

Lisa nodded. "Sure."

But before he could sit down, a voice interrupted.

"Baskhar!"

It was Iris. She walked over, her expression unreadable.

"Can I talk to you? Alone?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

Baskhar hesitated, glancing at Lisa before nodding. "Yeah, of course."

Lisa watched as Iris led him away, a strange feeling settling in her chest.

Something was about to change.