the fall of red

that didnt happened

After two long weeks of uncertainty, Chloe finally had Red back in her life, and now she was sure Red wasn't going to disappear like a twisted dream. It felt as if a piece of her had been restored. With each passing day, Chloe grew more accustomed to the reality that she now lived in. They settled into a comfortable routine, where the once lingering anxiety faded into a sense of normalcy. Chloe revelled in the little moments—sharing quiet evenings on the couch, laughter echoing through the dorm, and even the playful chaos that sometimes erupted during their adventures together. With Red back by her side, life felt whole again. Normal.

Well, it's slightly normal.

"I'm dropping out," Chloe said with a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping as she let her pen tumble from her fingers onto the desk. The sound echoed in the quiet room, drawing the attention of her friend Eliza, who burst into laughter beside her, unable to contain her amusement at the dramatic declaration.

Chloe had been experiencing vivid dreams that transported her back to the moments when she first met Eliza and Ari. In these dreams, she would relive the laughter they shared during their initial encounters, recalling how their personalities intertwined effortlessly. She remembered the sun-drenched afternoon at the park when they struck up their first conversation, the way Eliza's infectious laughter drew her in, and how Ari's quick wit had charmed her from the very start. Each dream brought back the warmth of their blossoming friendship, filled with shared secrets and adventures that strengthened their bond over time. The dreams were a beautiful reminder of how their paths had crossed and the lasting connection they formed.

An amusing mix-up occurred on the first day of school when a teacher mistakenly called Red by Ari's name and vice versa. This little incident sparked a lighthearted ongoing joke between them as they playfully teased each other about their unintentional identity swap. Meanwhile, Eliza found herself on the periphery of social interactions, struggling to make friends in the bustling atmosphere of the new school year.

One day, during lunch, Chloe sat down at the table with an annoyed expression, complaining about her drink being warm from sitting out too long. Seizing the opportunity to help, Eliza quickly took Chloe's drink and, with a bit of ingenuity, managed to chill it within moments, delighting Chloe with her thoughtful gesture.

This act of kindness solidified a burgeoning friendship between the two girls, and it seemed almost destined that they would grow close after that moment. From that day forward, Eliza and Chloe became friends, finding comfort and camaraderie in each other's company as they navigated the ups and downs of school life together.

"You can't do that," Eliza said with a playful smirk, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Red would die without you around." She reached out, picking up Chloe's pen from the cluttered table, its colours vibrant against the dull surface. With a teasing flourish, she handed it back to Chloe. The air between them was filled with an easy camaraderie, and despite the light-heartedness of her words, Eliza's concern was genuine.

"Don't even think about joking about that," Chloe said, her voice chilling in an instant. The warmth that had filled the room moments before vanished, replaced by a palpable tension. Her eyes narrowed, and her expression hardened, making it clear that she was not in the mood for that sort of humour. The seriousness of the situation hung heavily in the air, leaving no room for laughter.

"Sorry about that. My mistake," Eliza said, a sheepish smile breaking across her face as she raised her arms in a gesture of surrender. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, betraying the lighthearted intention behind her words. She knew the joke might not have landed as she had hoped, but she couldn't help but laugh at the situation, ready to diffuse any tension with her playful demeanour.

Chloe sighed softly, her voice laced with fatigue. "No, I'm really sorry," she said, her brow furrowing as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I understand it was just a joke, but I didn't get much rest last night. I just feel a bit off today." She looked weary around the room, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness that clung to her.