Unpredictable Connection

47. Stormbound Smiles

3rd Person's POV:

Char stood frozen, uncertain whether to sit or run, words tangled on her tongue. Before she could decide, the door swung open with a soft thud, and in came Heidi, rolling her eyes.

"Stop scaring the girl," she scolded, pointing at Serena. "And you—seriously? You're too much, scaring her like that."

Relief washed over Char, her shoulders slumping as she shot Heidi a grateful smile. The tension cracked, and everyone around them exchanged glances before breaking into laughter.

Serena crossed her arms, a playful pout on her lips. "Come on, party killer. We were just having fun."

"Fun?" Heidi raised a brow, walking over to Serena and smacking her arm lightly. Freen shifted, making space on the bed for Heidi to sit beside Serena while Engfa walked over to Char.

Engfa took Char's cold hands into her own, rubbing warmth into them. "Your hands are freezing," she whispered, concern in her eyes.

Char let out a shaky sigh, her voice small. "I thought you all were serious."

Engfa chuckled, slipping her arm around Char's shoulders and pulling her into a side hug. The room erupted into wolf whistles.

As the laughter settled, Nam tilted her head, looking at Heidi. "Phi, how did you even know we were up here terrifying Char?"

Heidi leaned back against the headboard, getting comfortable. "Rebecca and Irin told me," she replied, shrugging as the group nodded in understanding.

They all returned to their places, and Engfa quietly closed the glass balcony door as the wind outside picked up, carrying the scent of rain. She smirked, glancing at Freen. "The rain's going to pour hard tonight."

Freen rolled her eyes, hugging her knees to her chest. "What? You're really going to tease me about that?"

Noey grinned, leaning forward. "Still can't believe you're scared of thunder. So silly."

Freen smacked Noey's arm lightly. "I was left alone in the garden, and you all went inside. A thunderbolt struck a tree right next to me!"

The room tensed for a moment before Nam rolled her eyes, arms crossing. "Please, that bolt hit a tree at the end of the road, and you fainted."

Everyone burst out laughing again. Serena wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, looking at Freen. "So... now you're scared of rain too?"

Freen's lips twisted into a frown, offended. "No! Just thunder."

Engfa chuckled as she settled onto the couch near the window, still holding Char close, her thumb rubbing gentle circles on Char's arm. Char's body had finally stopped trembling, warmth slowly returning.

Noey smirked, mischief in her eyes. "I can see someone needs a room."

Char's cheeks flamed pink, and she buried her face in her hands as everyone laughed. Engfa grabbed a cushion and threw it at Noey's face. "At least I have a partner. Look at you."

Noey raised a brow. "Who said I don't have a partner?"

The room fell silent for a heartbeat before erupting in a chorus of gasps. Nam's eyes sparkled as she said, "I knew it."

Engfa groaned, throwing her hands up. "Nam, you say 'I knew it' about everything."

Heidi chuckled, reaching over to pat Nam's shoulder. "Who is it, then?"

Nam grinned, eyes glinting. "Who else? Irin."

The laughter returned, louder this time, while Noey sat back with the smugness of someone who had just won a bet. "Come on..."