Meant to Collide

25. Questions, Confessions, and Unveiled Truths

Friendships are complicated, sometimes rough around the edges, and occasionally harsh, but the moments of honesty remind us who truly has our back. "Hon, thanks for sticking around with a pregnant lady like me," Jim says with a grateful smile. But she quickly switches gears, turning to Sky. "Hey, mind checking if anyone's in the restroom?"

Sky obligingly heads in, only to find the door locked behind him as Jim smirks, pulling out her phone to call the rest of the crew. "Tee, Kade- Operation Natasha Romanov is a go!"

"Roger that!" Kade responds, and the trio launches into a dramatic approach toward Jules, a suspenseful soundtrack buzzing in their minds. Jim grins, "Locked him in. Should buy us a little time." Jules watches, eyes darting from one to another, clueless and increasingly uneasy.

"So, Mon, what's going on between you and Sky?" Detective Jim probes, her tone sly.

Caught off-guard, Jules stammers, "I'm... just his subordinate." But the hesitancy in her voice gives her away.

Tee narrows her eyes, "Oh really? Then how come you're wearing his clothes?" Jules sighs, cheeks coloring. "Fine. I stayed over last night."

The trio is struck silent. Jim gasps, "Mon, you perv!"

"Wait!" Jules insists, flustered. "It was just because he's terrified of ghosts, okay?"

"Sky, scared? He's never let me stay over," Tee blurts. "He's way too worried we'd mess up his place!" Kade and Jim nod, amused.

Then Kade leans in, looking serious. "Mon... did you do more than just sleep?" Jules throws up her hands. "We did nothing! How could I?"

Tee snorts, "Honestly, Hon wouldn't even know how to start. He's passive as a rock!" Kade adds, "He hasn't even brought Mia to meet us."

Jules glances between them, nodding thoughtfully. "Is that... weird?" The trio exchanges knowing looks. "Yep," they answer in unison.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoes from behind. "Are you interrogating Mon?" Sky raises an eyebrow, stepping into view. The trio jumps. "Erm... no, of course not," Kade stammers.

"Oh! There you are!" Jim chuckles awkwardly. "I was looking everywhere for you!" Sky scoffs, "Right. You locked me in the restroom!"

The group freezes, eyes wide with guilt. Jim shrinks under Sky's glare. "Sorry, buddy, that was a mistake!"

"Hey, Mon, could you take some photos for us?" Tee jumps in to change the subject. They all nod eagerly, pushing Jules toward the restaurant facade. While Sky is distracted, Jim, Kade, and Tee quickly pull Jules aside. "What now?" Jules asks, caught off-guard.

Jim leans in, whispering, "Don't freak out. We just... want to know how well you really know Hon."

"Well..." Jules pauses, listing off facts with a faint blush. "He loves cats, red's his favorite color, he dreams of opening a kindergarten, and he's an Elvis Presley fan... all from his social media and interviews."

Jim sighs in disappointment, "Oh, that's it? I thought you'd know more."

Kade jumps in, "Mon, don't tell me you're following his Instagram." Jules nods, a bit defensive. "Oh, no!" Kade exclaims. "I created his IG! It's all fake- I'm the admin."

Jules' jaw drops. "Wait, what?"

"Hon has no clue about those apps," Tee chuckles. "We manage it all."

"Every 'personal' detail in those interviews? Total fiction." Jim shakes her head. "Strictly business. That's Hon." Jules stares at them, bewildered. "Is any of this real?"

"Food's here!" Sky calls from a distance, waving them over. The group freezes again, trying to look innocent. "Were you teasing her?" Sky asks, catching on.

"Nope, not at all!" Jim says with a forced grin. "Actually, Mon here's your biggest fan! Knows everything about you... or so she thought." Jim winks, making Jules squirm.

Sky raises an eyebrow, turning to Jules. "Why're you so interested in me anyway?" Caught, Jules stammers. "Well... you're my idol. My role model."

Sky's expression softens as he gently tilts her chin up to look him in the eyes. "Role model, huh? And when you talk to people, look them in the eyes, alright?"

Jim laughs, breaking the tension. "Easy, you two! You're staring like ants to sugar!" she teases, while Kade rolls her eyes. "Mon, there are plenty of role models out there. Why this friend of ours?"

Blushing, Jules blurts, "Sky smiled at me once when I was a kid." Sky blinks, genuinely surprised. "When? How did we meet?"

Jules explains, "In grade four. You helped me once when I was in trouble. My mom was actually your teacher." Her voice trails off, eyes glistening with the memory. "I've followed in your footsteps ever since."

Jim whistles, impressed. "Dang, as an artist, even my fans aren't this devoted!"

"Probably because you're not as famous as you think," Jim chuckles, nudging her.

Jules sighs, "But now... I feel like I've been living a lie. Everything I knew about you.." Sky stands up, his gaze steady. "Food's here," he says, cutting off the conversation. "Let's eat."

They all shuffle over, and as Jules lowers her head in disappointment, the trio rallies around her, pulling her toward the dining spot, determined to lift her spirits.