The air was heavy with the scent of rain just past, fresh and clean, yet quietly stirring.
Nora had sought refuge on the balcony upstairs, curled into a quiet corner with a throw blanket, her fingers wrapped around a cup of lukewarm tea.
The world outside was slowly waking, but inside her, everything felt paused.
She heard the door creak open behind her. She didn't turn. She didn't have to.
"Nora," Eli's voice was low, cautious.
She closed her eyes for a brief second, collecting herself, then glanced up.
"Didn't think anyone would be up here."
"I've been looking for you," he admitted, stepping closer. "You've been... distant."
She didn't reply, only sipped her tea and kept her gaze ahead.
He sighed and sat beside her, leaving a respectful distance. "I didn't mean to make things messy between us. I just"
"You kissed me," she cut in softly, not accusing, not angry. Just... stating it.
Eli lowered his eyes. "I know. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have, not without thinking, not when I was still confused."
Nora finally turned to look at him, her voice steady but fragile.
"You kissed me, Eli... and for a moment, I let myself believe.
That maybe all the sacrifices I made for you, for Amelia, weren't in vain.
That maybe you saw me."
"I do see you, Nora," he said, his voice thick.
"I always have.
"Maybe I just didn't understand how deeply until recently."
She let out a tired laugh, almost bitter. "Convenient timing."
"I deserved that," he admitted.
"But I didn't come here to make promises I can't keep.
I came to say thank you.
For protecting me.
For standing by me even when it cost you your peace."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, slowly, Eli reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, folded note.
He handed it to her without a word.
Nora hesitated, then unfolded it.
Her eyes scanned the shaky handwriting, words written when he was still sick, unsure if he'd pull through.
It said only:
"If I don't make it, tell Nora she was the one who kept me alive inside."
Her breath caught.
"I didn't know if I'd ever get the chance to say that out loud," he whispered.
Nora blinked hard, pressing her lips together as tears welled up. "That doesn't fix things, Eli."
"I know," he replied gently. "But maybe it's a start."
She looked at him—looked at him.
"I still care about you. I probably always will.
But I need space... to find myself again."
Eli nodded, swallowing hard.
"Whatever you need.
I'll be here... as a friend, or as nothing at all. Just don't disappear completely."
Nora gave a small, sad smile. "I won't. I'm just... finding myself again."
He nodded, stood slowly, and began to walk away.
But just before he reached the door, she called softly, "Eli?"
He turned.
"Thank you... for seeing me."
The Countdown Begins
The late afternoon sun filtered through the wide windows of the safe house, spilling golden light over half-packed suitcases,
Snack wrappers, and the lazy sprawl of five friends on mismatched cushions and bean bags.
Kai clapped his hands loudly, interrupting the lazy silence.
"Alright, alright, listen up, team.
Our trip here, and this year's celebration, is almost over.
We've only got a few more days in this safe house before we pack up our memories and vanish back to real life."
He grinned, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"So, I propose: maximum fun. Minimum sleep. Games, chaos, snacks.
Who's with me?"
"I vote yes for snacks," Lena said, reaching for a bowl of popcorn like royalty on a throne.
"And also yes for games, as long as no one brings back that cursed 'truth or dare' from last night."
Eli snorted. "You're just mad because you had to serenade the neighbor's cat."
"I was emotionally vulnerable, and that cat judged me," she shot back.
Amelie laughed from the couch, legs curled under her.
"What kind of games are we talking about?
The chaotic kind or the emotional-damage kind?"
Kai wiggled his eyebrows. "A delightful mix of both. Who wants to play 'Most Likely To'?"
"Oh no," Nora groaned playfully, already bracing herself. "I do not trust any of you."
"We've earned that," Eli said solemnly.
The living room was a soft mess of pillows, blankets, half-empty soda bottles, and laughter.
The late-afternoon light danced through the windows, catching the playful sparkle in everyone's eyes.
"The group fell quiet for a moment, weighed down by the knowledge that their time at the safe house was coming to an end.
Kai, as usual, wasn't having it.
"Alright, alright, no more sulking.
I officially declare these final days Operation: Maximum Fun, Minimal Regret!" he declared dramatically, holding up a cushion like a trophy.
"Why does that sound like a disaster already?" Lena muttered from her bean bag.
"Because it will be," Nora said with a smirk.
Harrison walked in at that moment, freshly showered and suspiciously cheerful.
"What did I miss?"
"An emotional breakdown," Kai said. "But don't worry, you're just in time for chaos."
"Oh, good," Harrison said, plopping down next to Amelie on the rug. "I came prepared."
"What kind of games are we playing?" he asked.
"Most Likely To," Eli replied, stretching his legs out lazily. "And you're up next."
"Oh boy," Harrison grinned. "Let's go."
They all gathered around in a loose circle, passing a bottle to spin.
When it pointed to Kai, he rubbed his hands together like an evil mastermind.
"Okay. Who's most likely to start a secret relationship and hide it for six months?"
Amelia's eyes widened, her cheeks slightly flushing.
Everyone immediately turned toward her.
"Wait—what?!" she stammered.
"You're too quiet," Kai grinned. "The quiet ones always have something brewing."
Lena leaned in dramatically. "Confess. Are you dating a barista? A poet? Someone from our rival friend group?"
Amelie threw a cushion at her. "No secrets! No secret lovers!"
Nora laughed, her eyes flicking briefly to Eli, who was already watching her.
Their smiles met, small, knowing, and then just as quickly faded into the game again.
The bottle spun again. This time it landed on Eli.
"Eli," Kai said, stretching the moment like a drumroll, "Who's most likely to fall in love and never say a word about it?"
The room went still for a beat.
Eli's gaze dropped to his hands. Then he gave a slow smile and replied, "Probably me."
No one said anything, but Amelia's eyes flicked to Nora.
And Nora?
She looked away.
Kai, thankfully, moved the game forward before the tension could settle too long.
The bottle spun and landed on Lena.
Kai leaned forward with a devious grin. "Alright, Lena… who's most likely to start dating someone and never tell the group until we accidentally walk in on a kiss?"
Lena's eyes narrowed. "You're just fishing."
Nora gasped playfully. "Wait, is that a confession?"
Lena rolled her eyes. "If anyone's secretly dating, it's Amelia." She pointed.
"She's way too good at sneaking off lately."
"Hey!" Amelie laughed, throwing a cushion.
The game continued, the bottle spinning and giggles rising as the questions got riskier.
Then it landed on Harrison.
He raised an eyebrow. "Alright. Who's most likely to write dramatic love letters and never send them?"
The room went quiet.
All eyes turned to Eli.
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "You're not wrong."
Nora bit back a smile. Kai faked shock. "Eli?! The Eli?"
"I like paper," Eli muttered.
Then the bottle spun again, landing on Harrison again.
Lena didn't miss a beat. "Okay, tough guy.
Who's most likely to fall too fast and confuse physical attraction with actual feelings?"
"Are you talking about me or describing yourself?" Harrison teased.
The group oooh-ed.
Lena grinned wickedly. "Both of us can plead the fifth."
Next up: Amelia.
Kai jumped in with no mercy. "Who's most likely to end up in a love triangle and pretend nothing's going on?"
Amelia stared blankly. "That's... oddly specific."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"I feel targeted," Amelia muttered, cheeks flushing.
"You are," Eli said with a playful glance.
The game continued, the teasing growing wilder, the laughter louder.
But beneath the energy, glances flickered, Eli stealing a look at Amelia; Harrison catching it and looking away.
Lena noticed Nora's shifting expressions.
"Kai was watching it all unfold like a sitcom, he didn't sign up for but loved anyway.
"Okay, Harrison," Kai announced, eyes glittering.
"Who's most likely to leave the group in a heartbeat, if he ever hurts someone he cares about?"
Harrison laughed, tossing his head back.
"I would never!"
"He got cut off by Eli's teasing interjection.
"Yeah, right," Eli said with a half-smile. "You're always playing the hero, aren't you?"
The group burst into laughter.
Harrison turned to Lena. "I know you're one for honesty, what do you say?"
Lena's eyes twinkled as she replied, "I'd say Harrison is most likely to run off if he thinks he's causing too much chaos.
And maybe… if he had to, he'd pack his bags and leave this safe house.
But that wouldn't solve anything, would it?"
A ripple of amused agreement passed through the group.
Amelia leaned forward, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Come on, Harrison, we all know you're in it for the thrill.
Besides, I'd miss you if you decided to vanish again."
Harrison waved a dismissive hand, grinning.
"I was gone once, and it hurt too much for all of us.
Now I stick around, even if I do get caught in the crossfire."
He shot a playful glance at Eli, who merely rolled his eyes.
Kai spun the bottle again, and this time it pointed at Nora. "Nora, you're up!
Who's most likely to keep a secret, the one with the hidden story, as we all suspect?"
Nora laughed softly, a hint of mystery in her smile.
"I'm not saying much these days, am I?
But if I must choose, I'd say I'm most likely to confide only to the right person.
Maybe if the moment's right, even I might reveal a secret or two."
She winked at everyone, leaving them guessing.
The bottle spun once more, and eventually, it pointed at Eli.
His expression grew thoughtful as Kai dared him, "Eli, who's most likely to be the silent savior hiding big feelings until it's too late?"
Eli's gaze flickered around the group.
"I… Well, let's just say I always try to do what's best for everyone.
I care too much to let things fall apart.
But sometimes, you have to choose what's in your own heart over keeping the peace."
His words made the air thicken briefly with unspoken meaning, and the group fell into a soft murmur.
Amelia, looking at Eli and then exchanging a look with Nora, added quietly, "Maybe not all secrets need to be hidden forever…"
At some point, Kai stood dramatically.
"Alright, alright, let's pause before someone dares someone else to kiss someone again."
"Too late for that," Nora said under her breath.
As they all slumped back onto cushions, Nora looked around and whispered, "I'm going to miss this."
Amelie reached over and squeezed her hand. "We'll carry it with us."
Harrison nodded. "It's weird, right? How it feels like we're exactly where we're supposed to be."
"Next year, same place?" Eli asked quietly.
"Same chaos," Lena said.
"Same people," Amelie added.
Kai raised his soda can. "Next year, louder, wilder, and with even worse charades."
They all clinked cans and mugs.
They all clinked their drinks together, laughing, teasing, and pretending not to notice the glances that lasted a little too long or the touches that lingered a beat too much.
Kai raised his soda. "To the weirdest, most dramatic, most loyal friendship in existence."
The clock was ticking, but for now, in this moment, they were still whole.