Unpredictable Connection

18. Unfolding Chapters

Engfa's POV (Flashback):

When that girl spoke,
I couldn't help but snicker. Freen turned beet red, but I didn't let it bother me.

She blinked in disbelief. "How... how did you get it?"

Before anyone could answer, I stepped in. "Let's go, Freen," I said with a knowing grin, steering her away from any more drama.

As we walked back to the house, Freen grumbled under her breath, cursing the girl nonstop for criticizing her. I just giggled beside her, barely managing not to burst out laughing.

Once home, we headed straight to Phi's room. She was lying on her bed, phone in hand. I sat beside her and shared the story from the office. P'Serena laughed out loud, which only made Freen fume harder.

"She talked about me like that?" Freen growled, her face red with anger. "How dare she?"

I couldn't resist teasing her. "Well... she wasn't entirely wrong, was she?"

Serena, always the calm in our chaos, spoke in her usual breezy tone. "Girls, how about a night out? Let's unwind."

We all lit up, replying in unison, "Yes! That sounds perfect."

Serena grinned. "In my room, then?"

We groaned in playful protest. After a small pause, Freen finally muttered, "Phi... okay."

That night turned out to be unforgettable. Laughter flowed freely, and the atmosphere was light, carefree. We ended up having a movie marathon—mostly horror, which Freen couldn't stand. She still joined us though, even if it meant hiding behind a pillow half the time.

For a while, everything felt right in the world.

A few days later, a new family moved into the neighborhood. They were warm and welcoming—and their daughter, Nam, quickly became part of our little circle. Freen and Nam hit it off instantly.

It was obvious Freen was changing—growing. Especially in physics. She was determined to improve, to prove something to herself... and to that girl who had once mocked her paper.

She was on a mission. And nothing could stop her.

Ironically, the same girl who made fun of her? She'd soon become one of us.
Her name was Noey.
And eventually, she'd become a close friend too.

_________

3rd person's POV (Present time):

Engfa paused, her gaze fixed on Char.
"But Free doesn't remember that Nam and Noey were her school friends," she said softly. "She lost that part of her memory. Since Nam and I were there when she regained consciousness after the accident, she remembers us—me as her cousin, and Nam as her best friend. Noey told her they were school friends too, and they do get along... though they bicker a lot."

Char frowned, "Why's that?"

Engfa let out a sigh. "Because Noey keeps looking for P'Serena's habits in Freen. But she forgets... Free. is a different person."

Char reached out, gently placing a hand over Engfa's cold fingers. Before either could say anything more, a soft rumble of thunder echoed outside.

They turned toward the window.

"Feels like it'll rain," Char whispered.

"Or a storm," Engfa murmured in return.

Char inched her chair closer, the air cooling rapidly around them.
"It's already getting cold," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper trying to bridge the space between them.