Kiara's lie

From that day onward, Aryan's life seemed to settle back into its familiar rhythm—but something had changed.

Though Marco never brought up his confession again, it was clear he had grown more attentive toward Aryan. He was more present, more thoughtful, always quick to notice even the smallest shifts in Aryan's mood. At times, Aryan couldn't help but see a reflection of his past self in Marco—the boy who once tried so hard to win Aaron's affection, hoping every small gesture might mean something.

While things between Aryan and Marco remained unchanged, Kiara had started making efforts to become a more important part of Eron's life. She wanted to be more than just a friend.

She patiently waited for the right opportunity. When her friends finalized plans for a weekend outing, she saw it as the perfect chance to get closer to Eron.

That afternoon, once the plan was fixed, Kiara approached him. "Hey, Eron," she said, casually brushing her hair back. "Would you like to join us this weekend? Nothing wild—just some shopping, a movie, maybe a bit of time at the beach. Just friends hanging out."

Eron looked unsure. He wasn't the type to join social plans like that. Kiara noticed his hesitation and added quickly, "Don't worry, you won't be the only guy. Antony's coming too, so you won't feel out of place."

Eron gave a small nod, still unsure. "I'll think about it."

Kiara felt a small spark of hope. The final push came from Antony.

Once Antony heard that Eron hadn't said no, he took it upon himself to make sure he said yes. He kept asking, nudging, and even following Eron around with playful persistence. Whether in class or through messages, Antony kept at it until Eron finally agreed, just to get some peace.

"Fine," Eron said, rubbing his temples. "I'll come."

But Eron didn't realize—the outing was on the same day as Aryan's 18th birthday.

The Day Before the Outing

"Are you going somewhere?" Aryan asked, stepping into the room and pausing as he noticed Eron packing his clothes.

Eron looked up with a small smile. "I was just about to tell you. I'm going on a short one-day trip with Antony and a few friends. We're leaving early tomorrow morning, so I'll be staying at Antony's place tonight."

Aryan hesitated for a moment, then asked quietly, "Mmm… do you really want to go?"

There was a faint hope in his voice—he wished to spend his birthday with him.

"I promised them," Eron replied, his tone gentle but firm.

"Oh… okay." Aryan nodded slowly, masking his disappointment. He tried to keep things light. "So… who else is tagging along? Just boys? Or are there girls involved?" He flashed a teasing smile.

Eron hesitated, his voice a little awkward. "Girls… Kiara—the new girl—and some of her friends."

Aryan raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything more. Instead, he reached into his coat and handed Eron a sleek black card. "Here. Lisa gave this for you. Go and enjoy."

"I have my own savings…" Eron said, trying to hand it back.

"I know you do," Aryan said, waving him off. "This is just for emergencies. If it feels like too much, give it back when you return."

Eron looked at the card, hesitating again. "What if I spend too much? Or lose it?"

Aryan chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Didn't I tell you before? Money is meant to be spent. And if it gets stolen, we'll just block it. No big deal. So stop worrying so much."

With that, Aryan turned and left the room, not saying anything else.

After he was gone, Eron touched his hair softly, where Aryan's hand had been moments ago. The warmth still lingered, and it made his heart ache in a way he couldn't quite explain.

The Next Day — At the Mall

The shopping mall buzzed with energy—children squealing in delight, couples strolling hand in hand, and the occasional announcement echoing from overhead speakers. Amid the lively crowd, Eron sat calmly on a bench outside a trendy fashion store, a book open in his hands. He was just half a page from finishing the chapter, but Antony's dramatic sighs had already interrupted him three times.

"Why do girls take so long to shop?" Antony groaned, slumping beside Eron like a deflated balloon. "We finished ours in fifteen minutes. Fifteen. And they've been in there for nearly an hour, going back and forth over the same racks!"

Eron didn't look up. "That's just how it is," he murmured, flipping a page.

Antony glanced sideways. "You sound like you've given up on trying to understand them."

"I have," Eron replied flatly.

Antony nodded at the small bag beside Eron. "So, what did you get?"

"Some clothes. A couple of accessories for my family," Eron said simply.

"You're such a family guy," Antony chuckled.

Before Eron could respond, a voice called out, "Eron!"

Kiara walked up to them and took Eron's hand. "I need your help—can you come with me for a minute, please?" she asked, her tone overly sweet, her eyes pleading with practiced innocence.

Not wanting to make things awkward by saying no outright, Eron stood up and handed his bag to Antony before following her.

"So, what's the matter?" he asked.

"I need your help choosing clothes," Kiara said, her voice playful. "I can't decide between these." She held up a small pile of dresses. "I'll try them on—can you give me your honest opinion?"

Eron blinked. "Can't your friends help you with that?"

"They're busy trying on their own stuff," Kiara replied quickly.

Just then, her friends—who had been sneakily watching from a distance—pretended to be deeply interested in the nearest clothing rack when Eron glanced their way.

"Alright," he said with a small sigh.

Back near the store entrance, Kiara's friends exchanged knowing glances. Seeing Eron willingly help Kiara, even in such a small way, sparked a ripple of excitement in their group.

"So he really is her boyfriend!" one whispered, and the others nodded, grinning.

In that moment, the little white lie Kiara had hinted at—just to stir curiosity—suddenly felt a little more real.

Meanwhile, at Aryan's home…

The decorations were complete, casting a warm, festive glow across the room. A small but lively birthday party had been arranged—friends and family gathered together, laughter echoing through the house, filling it with joy.

But the birthday boy didn't quite match the mood.

Aryan sat quietly on the couch, his eyes drifting to his phone every few minutes, the screen still dark. He forced a smile now and then for the guests, but it was clear—something was weighing on his mind.

Noticing this, Marco walked over and sat beside him. "What's going on? Why do you look so down on such a good day?" he asked gently. "Is it because of Eron?"

Aryan gave a small nod, his voice soft. "It's the first time I'm celebrating my birthday without him."

Since morning, he had been waiting—checking for a message, a missed call, anything from Eron. But there was nothing.

"He's probably just busy with his friends," Marco offered, trying to sound reassuring. "Don't stress about it."

"I know…" Aryan replied with a faint smile, looking down at his phone again. "But what can I do? I just miss my little troublemaker."