Chapter 2 : The unexpected invitation

Chapter 2

The next day passed like a blur. Kira kept her head down during classes, trying to ignore the occasional glances from her friends — and from Wilson's table. She was relieved when the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

After packing up her things, Kira decided to try out the library. She needed a quiet place to breathe — and maybe escape Mitchell's constant teasing about Wilson.

The library was quieter than she expected, with only a few students scattered across the room. Kira approached the front desk and registered quickly before walking toward the shelves. The scent of old paper and polished wood filled the air as her fingers trailed along the spines of the books.

She was about to pull out a book when a figure by the window caught her eye.

Wilson.

He was sitting by the large arched window, sunlight casting a soft glow across his face. He was leaning back in his chair, a book in hand, his brow slightly furrowed in concentration. His long legs were stretched out under the table, and his lips moved slightly as he read.

Kira froze, her gaze lingering on him longer than it should have.

He's not that bad, she thought.

Wilson shifted slightly, and Kira snapped out of it. She quickly pulled a book from the shelf and forced herself to focus.

"Hey," a soft voice called.

Kira's eyes widened. Slowly, she turned toward him.

Wilson was looking at her.

"Hi, Kira," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Kira swallowed. "Hi, Wilson."

Wilson's gaze slid to the book in her hands. "Good choice?"

She glanced down at the cover — People from My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami. The colorful cover stared back at her.

"Oh… yeah," she said quickly.

Wilson smiled faintly. "There's an empty seat in front of me," he said, tilting his head toward the table. "You can sit there, if you want."

Kira hesitated, clutching the book tighter. "Oh… um… I don't want to disturb you."

"You won't." His tone was casual, but there was something easy about the way he said it — like he was completely comfortable with the idea of her sitting there.

After a moment's pause, Kira reluctantly walked toward the table. Her heart was beating unreasonably fast as she pulled out the chair and sat down across from Wilson.

Her eyes stayed glued to the book in her hands, but she could feel his eyes on her.

Wilson's book was open, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he went back to reading.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sound between them the soft rustling of pages and the occasional distant footsteps in the library.

After a few minutes, Wilson spoke again.

"So… what are you doing here?"

Kira's eyes flicked up. "Huh?"

"In the library," Wilson said, closing his book. "I mean, you don't really seem like a library type."

Kira's fingers brushed the edge of the book cover. "Yeah… I'm not, really."

Wilson raised an eyebrow. "Then?"

Kira sighed. "I just… needed a quiet place to think."

Wilson nodded as if he understood. "And the book?"

"Oh." Kira looked down at People from My Neighborhood. "I kind of just picked it up randomly. I'm not really a book person."

Wilson's brow lifted. "Really?"

"Yeah," Kira admitted. "I don't usually have the patience to sit through an entire book. But this one's different. It's a collection of short stories, so it's easier for me to get through. It's the only book I've actually enjoyed so far."

Wilson's gaze softened. "That makes sense."

"I'm more into sketching," Kira added. "Art, you know."

Wilson leaned forward slightly, interest sparking in his eyes. "Sketching?"

Kira nodded. "Yeah. Drawing, painting… that's more my thing."

Wilson smiled. "That's cool."

Kira shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal."

"It is," Wilson said seriously. "Art's not easy."

Kira's cheeks warmed slightly. "I guess."

Wilson's gaze lingered on her for a second longer before he leaned back in his chair. "So… what's the book about?"

Kira smiled a little. "It's about this neighborhood and all the strange people in it. The stories are a little weird, but… in a good way."

Wilson nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds interesting."

"It is."

They sat in silence again, but this time it felt lighter. Easier. Kira's gaze drifted to Wilson's hands — long fingers turning the pages of his book.

"You're pretty good at this whole conversation thing," Kira said.

Wilson smirked. "You think?"

"Yeah."

Wilson's eyes glinted. "I guess I've got hidden talents."

Kira rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling.

Wilson's book was open in front of him, but his attention remained on her a moment longer before he went back to reading.

Kira stared down at her own book, biting back a smile.

Maybe Mitchell had a point after all.

Chapter 3

The rest of the afternoon passed by in a comfortable haze. Kira and Wilson didn't speak much after their quiet moment in the library, but the air between them felt… easier. Less awkward.

Kira didn't realize how much time had passed until the school bell rang. Students began trickling out of the library, and Wilson closed his book, stretching his arms behind his head.

"I guess that's it for today," he said casually.

"Yeah," Kira murmured, standing up and holding her book close to her chest.

As they stepped toward the library doors, Wilson slowed his pace and glanced at her.

"Hey," he said.

Kira turned toward him. "Yeah?"

"There's a beach party this weekend."

Kira's brow lifted. "A beach party?"

"Yeah. Beginning of term tradition," Wilson said. "Our class hosts it every year — kind of like a way to blow off steam before things get crazy with schoolwork."

"Oh," Kira said, feeling a little surprised.

"You can come," Wilson added. His tone was casual, but there was a quiet invitation behind it. "Not 'if you want to' — you should come. Bring your friends too."

Kira hesitated. "Uh… I don't know."

Wilson smiled faintly. "I'm also going to put it in the official group chat, so everyone will know about it. You don't have to decide now."

"Okay," Kira said slowly.

"It's this weekend," Wilson continued. "So… you know… show up."

Kira trying not to smile. "I'll think about it."

Wilson nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Cool."

They stood there for a brief second longer before Wilson gave her a small wave. "See you tomorrow, Kira."

"See you," Kira said softly.

As Wilson disappeared down the hall, Kira sighed. A beach party? She wasn't sure if that was her scene.

But the idea of seeing Wilson there…

She smiled to herself and started down the hall.

The next day, the group chat buzzed with activity.

Wilson: 🌊 BEACH PARTY THIS WEEKEND! Saturday, 4 PM. Everyone's invited — bring your friends! 👊🏽👊🏽

The chat exploded with excitement almost immediately.

Kira's group chat:

Mitchell: Oooohhh, we're pulling up 😎

Naomi: Finallyyyy 😩

Gemma: What are we wearing???

Widu: Do we even HAVE beach outfits? 💀💀

Kira stared at the messages, feeling the anticipation rising in her chest.

"Did you see?" Mitchell said, sliding into the seat beside her during lunch.

Kira sighed. "Yeah."

"So… you're coming, right?"

Kira frowned. "I don't know…"

"Oh, come on!" Mitchell said dramatically. "This is a big deal. Albert throws legendary parties."

Kira gave her a look. "Since when are you into parties?"

Mitchell grinned. "Since Wilson personally invited you."

Kira's face heated. "That's not—"

"Don't even try it." Mitchell leaned closer. "You're going. End of story."

Kira opened her mouth to protest, but Naomi and Gemma appeared at the table, practically buzzing with excitement.

"Beach party!" Naomi squealed.

"We need outfits!" Gemma added. "We HAVE to look good."

Kira rubbed her forehead. "You guys are making this a bigger deal than it is."

"No, Kira," Mitchell said, smirking. "It's exactly as big a deal as it seems."

Kira groaned, but a small part of her was already considering it.

A beach party. With Wilson.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.