"So what was that at karate yesterday?" Eli asked with a mischievous smile as he and Iris strolled down the school hallway. They were sharing headphones, with Taylor Swift's "22 (Taylor's Version)" providing the soundtrack to their walk.
Iris glanced sideways at him, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Miguel's just better than me," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. She offered this explanation with the most convincing tone she could muster, though she knew Eli was perceptive enough to see through her casual demeanor.
Eli raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Oh, really? That's all there is to it?" He teased, clearly enjoying the playful banter.
Iris chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I guess you'll just have to figure it out for yourself." She tried to maintain her composure, but the infectious nature of Eli's smile made it difficult.
"I'm sure I will," Eli said with a wink, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You can't hide things from me forever."
The pair were extremely close, and Iris was forever grateful for Eli. She was so proud he was growing more confident.
Iris felt a smile tug at her lips, despite her best efforts to stay composed. She decided to let her guard down, allowing herself to match Eli's lively energy. Together, they swayed slightly to the music, the rhythm of Taylor Swift's voice blending with their laughter and shared secrets.
As they continued down the hall, the song's upbeat tempo seemed to mirror their easy camaraderie, and Iris felt a sense of warmth and connection with Eli that made the day seem a little brighter.
🩷
The pair walked into the lunchroom with an air of confidence, heads held high and footsteps steady. They made their way to their usual table, a spot that had become their own little corner of the cafeteria.
As they approached, it was clear that their presence had drawn attention. More of the kids from the dojo, who had recently started joining them, added a noticeable buzz of excitement to the group.
This influx of familiar faces gave their table an aura of popularity and coolness that hadn't been there before.
Iris barely noticed the growing crowd around them. She wasn't concerned with the perception of popularity.
For her, the real joy lay in seeing her friends happy and enjoying each other's company. The camaraderie and shared laughter were what truly mattered.
Miguel spotted Iris and waved her over with a friendly grin. "Iris, sit here!" he called out, his voice carrying over the chatter of the lunchroom as he gestured to the spot right next to him. His warm tone and the inviting gesture were as much a part of their daily routine as the lunch itself.
Eli, trailing slightly behind Iris, mumbled something under his breath. His comment was lost amidst the cacophony of lunchroom sounds, but Iris who focused on the friendly interaction with Miguel, didn't catch what he had said. Without missing a beat, she slid into the seat next to Miguel, her eyes lighting up with a smile as she settled comfortably.
Without hesitation, Iris patted the space next to her and nudged Eli. "Come on, Eli. There's room here," she encouraged, pulling him closer with a gentle but firm tug. Eli, with a slight chuckle, joined her at the table, the trio now seamlessly integrated into the lively group. The familiar rhythm of their conversations began to fill the air as they shared stories, jokes, and the latest dojo gossip, their camaraderi, a warm contrast to the bustling lunchroom around them.
🩷
As Iris unpacked her lunch, the savory aroma of her homemade sandwich mingled with the other scents of the cafeteria. She took a bite, savoring the flavors while glancing between Eli and Miguel. Their conversation flowed easily, a blend of casual banter and playful teasing. Eli was recounting a funny incident from their last dojo session, his animated gestures making Iris laugh.
Miguel, though he tried to join in the conversation, couldn't help but notice how Iris and Eli seemed to be sharing a special rapport. Every laugh and shared glance between them seemed to amplify Miguel's subtle pangs of jealousy. He fidgeted with his own lunch; his mind preoccupied with the growing realization that he felt a little left out.
As the lunch period drew to a close, the cafeteria's clamor began to quiet down. The group started to gather their things, the end of their meal signaling the shift from casual social time to the busy afternoon ahead. Miguel, still feeling a bit unsettled by his earlier emotions, decided to seize a small opportunity.
🩷
When the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Miguel stood up, his eyes catching Iris's. "Hey, Iris," he said, his tone friendly but laced with an underlying edge of urgency, "Do you mind walking me to class? I've got a quick question about something."
Iris, always willing to help a friend, nodded immediately. "Sure, Miguel. I don't mind at all."
Eli gave them a casual wave. "I'll catch up with you guys later," he said with a grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He watched as Iris and Miguel headed towards the exit, chatting about their upcoming classes.
🩷
As Miguel and Iris strolled down the bustling hallway, their conversation flowed effortlessly.
The clamor of students moving between classes created a lively backdrop to their discussion about their upcoming assignments and weekend plans.
Miguel, despite the earlier pangs of jealousy, found comfort in the ease of Iris's company, her laughter a pleasant contrast to the usual school stresses.
Just as they approached the intersection of the hallway where Miguel's classroom was located, they spotted Kyler up ahead.
As he leaned against the lockers with a group of his friends, he exuded a casual air of confidence that made many students steer clear.
Iris and Miguel exchanged a quick glance of apprehension.
Kyler had a knack for showing up at inopportune moments, and they braced themselves for whatever might come next. As they drew closer, Kyler's gaze shifted toward them. For a split second, Iris tensed, anticipating the usual taunts or disruptions.
But to their surprise, Kyler merely glanced their way and then looked away, his attention quickly shifting back to his friends.
He didn't approach or make any comments. Instead, he seemed preoccupied with something else entirely—perhaps a joke or a game his friends were engaged in.
Miguel and Iris exchanged looks of disbelief as they passed by Kyler's group. Iris raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Did Kyler just...ignore us?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine surprise.
Miguel shrugged, his own expression mirroring Iris's astonishment. "Looks like it. Maybe he's in a good mood or something." His voice carried a hint of cautious relief.
Iris couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that's a first. I was bracing myself for some kind of drama."
Miguel laughed along with her, the tension from earlier melting away. "Yeah, me too. Guess we're in the clear for now."
They continued walking, their steps lighte, and their conversation more relaxed as they neared Miguel's classroom.
The unexpected peace gave them a moment to enjoy the simplicity of the moment, their earlier concerns fading into the background. As they reached the door to Miguel's class, he turned to Iris with a grateful smile.
"Thanks for the walk, Iris," Miguel said with a casual smile. "I appreciate it."
"No worries!" Iris replied, giving him a friendly wave. "Good luck in class!" causing the boy to laugh
With a final wave, Miguel entered the classroom, leaving Iris to continue her own journey through the school.
As she walked away, the unusual calm of the encounter with Kyler added a small but pleasant twist to her day, making her look forward to the rest of the afternoon with a renewed sense of optimism.
YOU ARE READING
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 (𝐌. 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐳)
Fanfiction"I can't believe you don't like Taylor Swift," "I do now, thanks to you," It was hard to believe Miguel Diaz could be best friends with someone whose music taste he hated. Even weirder, he fell head over heels in love with her, and there was...
