The morning after prom arrived quietly.
No music.
No cheers.
No crowns.
Just silence.
Lily woke up to the soft vibration of her phone on the bedside table. For a brief second, half-asleep, she smiled—expecting messages, calls, surprises.
She checked her screen.
One missed call. One message.
From Chris.
Happy Birthday, idiot. Wake up already 💜
Lily stared at the screen longer than she expected.
Only one call.
Only one message.
She exhaled slowly, pushing the thought away. It's fine, she told herself. I don't need a crowd.
Across the city, Henry lay awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't slept much. Every time he closed his eyes, prom night replayed itself—crowns, smiles, Lily laughing, Chris glowing.
Beside his table lay a small velvet box.
Inside it was a bracelet.
He had bought it weeks ago.
Not just a gift.
A proposal of feelings he had never dared to say out loud.
But after last night…
He didn't feel brave anymore.
Tonight there was a birthday party for Lily.
And yet, for the first time, Henry didn't feel like going.
Different Days, Same Weight
Twilight sat on the edge of his bed, tying his shoes slowly. He almost forgot it was Lily's birthday—something he usually did. He never remembered birthdays. But today… today his mind was already heavy.
Prom night hadn't gone the way he imagined.
The crown sat on his shelf, untouched.
It felt meaningless.
Chris and Lily were together that morning, already out shopping for Lily's birthday. Laughing, teasing, arguing over useless things. On the outside, everything looked normal.
But underneath—
Chris smiled, yet her thoughts kept drifting.
Lily laughed, yet her heart felt oddly empty.
Henry and Twilight were quieter than usual.
Both carrying things they didn't know how to say.
Four people.
Four different storms.
A Message Without Emotion
After hours of overthinking, Henry finally sat up.
Stop running, he told himself.
He picked up his phone and typed a message.
Happy Birthday, Lily. Hope you have a good day.
He stared at it.
Simple.
Plain.
Nothing special.
He hit send.
Almost immediately, he called Twilight.
"Come to the café," Henry said. "Our usual place."
Twilight hesitated. "Now?"
"Yes," Henry replied. "I have a plan."
There was something in his voice—serious, tired, determined.
"Alright," Twilight said. "I'm coming."
Bags, Boxes, and Small Joys
By afternoon, Chris and Lily returned home with their hands full of shopping bags. Lily's bedroom turned into chaos—clothes on the bed, boxes on the floor, accessories scattered everywhere.
They sat cross-legged on the carpet, opening bags one by one.
"Why did we buy this?" Lily asked, holding a weird-looking lamp.
"Because it was cute," Chris replied defensively. "And useless."
They both laughed.
There were surprise boxes too—random little things, keychains, plush toys, stickers. Nothing expensive. Just fun.
For a moment, Lily forgot everything else.
She leaned back on her bed and smiled. "Thanks for today."
Chris nudged her shoulder. "You're stuck with me. Forever."
Coffee and Straight Talk
At the café, Henry and Twilight sat at their usual table by the window. Same order. Same silence.
Henry stirred his coffee without drinking it.
Then suddenly, he looked up.
"I have a plan," he said. "But it depends."
Twilight took a sip, watching him carefully. "Depends on what?"
"On whether we stop being cowards," Henry replied.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Will it be worth it?"
Henry didn't answer immediately.
He looked out the window, then back at Twilight.
"It has to be."
Twilight nodded slowly. "Then let's do it."
For the first time that day, the tension between them eased—just a little.
Black Dress, Quiet Shine
Night arrived softly.
Lily stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her black, full-sleeved dress. It shimmered faintly under the light, elegant and simple. She didn't want anything loud. Just something that felt right.
Chris stood behind her in a newly bought tracksuit.
Chris smiled playfully. "You look like a fairy."
Lily turned around, grinning. "And you look gorgeous."
Chris cleared her throat dramatically, deepening her voice.
"Princess Lily, would you like to dance with me?"
Lily laughed. "Yes, my knight."
Chris played soft music on her phone, and they began a slow, clumsy dance in the middle of the room—stepping on each other's feet, laughing uncontrollably.
A knock sounded at the door.
Lily frowned. "Food already?"
She walked over and opened it.
Her breath caught.
Henry and Twilight stood there.
"Happy Birthday," they said together.
Behind them stood a delivery guy holding a cake box.
For a moment, Lily couldn't speak.
Then she stepped aside, smiling. "Come in."
Candles and Surprises
The cake was placed on the table. Candles lit. Wishes whispered.
Lily cut the cake, feeding the first bite to Chris, then Twilight, then—after a pause—Henry.
He smiled softly.
After that came the gifts.
Chris handed her a small box. Inside was a delicate ring and a keychain engraved with Lily's name.
Lily's eyes softened. "I love it."
Twilight gave her a wrapped box next—an anime collectible set.
Her eyes lit up. "No way!"
She hugged him instantly. "I'm saving this for my vlog."
Finally, Henry stepped forward, handing her a box quietly.
Inside were new shoes—perfect for basketball trials.
"For your selection," he said simply.
Lily stared at them.
For the first time that night, her eyes burned slightly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
She had never felt this… special.
Captured Moments
They laughed.
They ate.
They talked.
Chris brought out a camera, setting it on timer mode. They posed awkwardly, then naturally, then stupidly. Every click froze a moment they would remember.
Four friends.
One room.
One rare, honest happiness.
But outside—
From a distance unseen, a presence lingered.
Watching.
Waiting.
And though the night felt warm and full of light—
The shadows hadn't left.
They were only quiet.