ᴇᴄʜᴏᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴜꜱ

A Lunch Date (Not Really)

Izuko's POV

Izuko wandered down the hallway, glancing at her phone. We're all eating at the library. Find us there, read Aysh's last message. It was odd, but hey, with this group, "random" plans were practically normal.

Deciding to follow her instincts, she pushed open the door to the art room because she wanted to go there and had told Jenna about it—quiet, except for the muffled sounds of paintbrushes and whispers from nearby tables. She strolled in and spotted a single tray set up on the table near the window with her name on it. Perfect place to sit, she figured.

She set her books down, glancing at the tray. A fancy, slightly overdone charcuterie spread with fruit, cheeses, and crackers lay there. Right as she was contemplating who'd set it up, the door opened, and in walked Sarah.

"Oh," Sarah said, playing the surprise card way too well. "You're here?"

Izuko raised an eyebrow. "You mean, you're here."

Sarah shrugged, taking the seat across from her and looking around, an easy smile on her face. "Guess we're alone, then?"

Izuko tried to keep a straight face. "Looks that way... pretty convenient, huh?"

Sarah smirked, picking up a slice of apple and popping it into her mouth. "A bit too convenient," she said, her eyes never leaving Izuko's. "It's like someone's setting us up."

Izuko felt her cheeks get warm. "Guess we're in on the same secret, then?" she murmured, barely able to hide her smile.

They were both in on it, yes—but they wouldn't give their friends the satisfaction of letting them know.

Meanwhile, in the Group Chat...

Hannah: "Status report?"

Aysh: "Lunch setup is live; they're alone in the art room."

Nya: "Can you imagine what's happening right now?"

Jenna: "Bet they're finally getting somewhere, thanks to us."

Riy: "Oh, please. They're probably just sitting there being awkward."

Back in the Art Room...

"You know, for a 'friends' lunch, this is a bit much," Izuko teased, holding up a grape.

Sarah leaned forward, her voice low. "I didn't plan this, but I'm not complaining." She grinned, her gaze softening in a way that made Izuko's heart do that annoying skip thing. "Being around you, though... that I'll take any day."

Izuko tried to play it cool, popping the grape into her mouth as her heart raced. She could feel Sarah watching her, probably knowing how flustered she was, even if she tried to hide it.

After a few minutes of silence, Sarah took her hand under the table, a gesture so subtle it could've just been friendly... except for the way her fingers lingered, tracing little circles on Izuko's palm. "You ever think maybe we should thank them for setting us up?"

Izuko looked up, catching her reflection in Sarah's eyes, feeling a warmth she didn't even bother fighting. "Thank them?" she repeated, squeezing her hand in response. "Nah... I think we'll keep this our little secret for now."

Sarah's grin was one Izuko knew she'd remember long after lunch ended. "Then our secret it stays."

The End of Lunch...

Just before they left, Izuko grabbed a piece of chocolate from the tray, slipping it into Sarah's hand. "For being my lunch date," she said with a wink.

Sarah's grin was one Izuko knew she'd remember long after lunch ended. "You're making this way too easy for them."

Izuko shrugged. "Let them think whatever they want. It's more fun that way."

To be continued...