Two days passed, and the much-anticipated picnic day finally arrived. Raya and her friends were ready for a carefree day filled with laughter, games, and relaxation. As they gathered outside her house, she waved goodbye to her parents, who smiled, reminding her to enjoy herself.
“Take care and have fun!” her mom called out as Raya and her friends headed toward the park.
The group was buzzing with excitement as they made their way to their favorite picnic spot in the park. The sun was bright, casting a warm glow over the trees and open fields, perfect for a day of outdoor fun.
They wasted no time in setting up a cozy picnic area with blankets, snacks, and a small speaker for music. Soon, they were engaged in a lively game of badminton, splitting into teams and teasing each other between serves and rallies.
“Come on, Jake, that was an easy shot!” Josh laughed as Jake missed the birdie by inches.
Jake rolled his eyes, laughing. “You’re just lucky I let it slide. Watch me next time!”
Raiza, watching from the sidelines, clapped and cheered, and Lili joined in, calling out encouragements that made everyone laugh.
After a few rounds, they switched to a classic game of hide-and-seek. Running around the park, hiding behind trees and benches, they were all transported back to their childhood, forgetting any worries or stress.
“Found you, Lili!” Josh exclaimed as he discovered her crouched behind a tree. She shrieked, laughing as she ran off to tag someone else.
After a few hours of games, laughter, and endless teasing, they settled down on the picnic blanket for lunch. They had brought a little bit of everything—sandwiches, chips, sodas, and Lili’s favorite pizza.
As they ate, there was a small, endearing moment between Josh and Lili. She had a bit of pizza sauce at the corner of her mouth, and before she could wipe it off, Josh gently reached over, brushing it away with his thumb. Lili froze for a second, her cheeks turning pink, and a shy smile spread across her face.
Raya caught the interaction, exchanging a look with Raiza as they both shared a quiet smile, sensing the unspoken connection between their two friends.
Jake, sitting beside Raya, looked over at her, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. She was laughing at something Raiza had said, her eyes sparkling, her smile lighting up her face. For a moment, he felt his heart skip, realizing how beautiful she looked, effortlessly happy and carefree.
“You okay, Jake?” Raya asked, noticing his gaze.
He blinked, caught off guard, and gave a small smile. “Yeah, just… enjoying the moment.”
As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the park, they packed up their things, sharing stories and memories on the way back. They made plans to meet again soon, determined to savor these moments before life became busy once more with exams and future plans.
But as the day ended, and they all began saying their goodbyes, there was a lingering feeling in the air—a feeling that things were beginning to change, slowly but surely.
Raya looked around at her friends, feeling a deep warmth, grateful for this day, and for them. Little did she know, moments like these would become the memories they’d all hold onto as they faced the challenges ahead.
Just as they parted ways, Jake hesitated, glancing back at her. He had something he wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he gave her a small smile and a wave, feeling something he couldn’t quite name, wondering if she’d felt it too.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Tomorrow
Fanfiction"Raya, why dream so big? Do you think anyone will really notice you?" Raya glanced at her BTS poster, a quiet determination in her eyes. "It's not about being noticed. It's about proving to myself that I'm capable. They may be stars, but they're als...
