"Hey, isn't that Aleena?" Daisy inquired.
 
Shane pivoted in response to Daisy's question, his gaze fixing on the young girl she mentioned. He spotted Aleena seated at their usual table but furrowed his brows when he noticed someone else occupying the seat that was typically his.
 
His frown deepened as he observed Aleena wearing that familiar gummy smile, now directed at Damian. A strange sensation stirred in Shane's stomach, as Aleena's gummy smiles had always seemed to be exclusively reserved for him.
 
He couldn't help but wonder when Aleena and Damian had become such close friends, or when they had even started conversing with each other. Just last week, Aleena had barely spared a glance for the boy who had a legion of admirers trailing him wherever he went. Similarly, Damian hadn't seemed to pay any attention to Aleena during their shared classes the previous week.
 
"I had no idea Aleena was friends with Damian," Daisy remarked, her curiosity piqued.
 
"Me neither," Shane replied, his gaze still fixed on the two of them.
 
"Oh, I almost forgot! My birthday is this Friday, and I'd love for you to come to the party I'm hosting at my place."
 
Shane immediately redirected his attention to Daisy, focusing on her words. A fresh set of butterflies fluttered in his stomach upon hearing that she wanted him at her party. He nodded in agreement as Daisy informed him that she would send him the address, momentarily forgetting all about Aleena and Damian.
 
***
 
"Hey, Aleena!" Shane's voice cut through the bustling hallway as he skillfully navigated through the crowd.
 
Aleena turned toward the familiar voice, spotting Shane approaching her with a warm smile.
 
"Oh, hey, Shane," Aleena greeted with a hint of excitement.
 
"We've got math now, huh?" Shane remarked, his laughter lightening the atmosphere. "I heard Teacher Sam is in a bad mood because of a prank one of the seniors pulled, so he'll probably have our heads if we're late."
 
The moment felt reminiscent of their past, a time before Shane began talking to Daisy and Aleena felt sidelined. A glimmer of nostalgia swept over Aleena as she savored this brief return to their old dynamic, free from the shadow of Daisy's presence.
 
"Really? What was the prank?" Aleena inquired cautiously.
 
Shane launched into the story, sharing the details of a senior's mischievous act involving an abundance of cello-wrap on their teacher's desks. As they strolled down the hallway, Aleena listened intently to Shane's words, occasionally flashing a small, appreciative smile.
 
Throughout their conversation, Aleena found herself unable to tear her gaze away from Shane. She paid little attention to the specifics of Shane's story; instead, she reveled in the simple pleasure of reconnecting with her friend. The sensation of Shane engaging her in conversation felt comforting, a welcome respite from the usual topic of Daisy.
 
Aleena cherished every moment spent in Shane's company, longing to hold onto this newfound closeness. It was a feeling she wanted to cling to, to savor the presence of Shane for as long as possible.
 
"Why don't we catch up after school today? You know, our usual post-school stroll to the plaza? Maybe grab some ice cream or something?" Shane proposed, taking his seat next to Aleena at their customary spot.
 
Aleena couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Shane had chosen to sit with her in class, opting not to occupy the window seat where Daisy usually sat. Her stomach fluttered with a mixture of nerves and excitement upon hearing Shane's invitation. While this routine was nothing out of the ordinary for the two best friends, they hadn't managed to hang out like this in a few weeks. Aleena had refrained from broaching the subject, unsure if Shane still considered them close friends after his recent interactions with Daisy.
 
A radiant smile, one of Aleena's trademark gummy grins that never failed to light up Shane's face, spread across her lips as she eagerly accepted the offer. "Yes, of course! I'm all in for some ice cream."
 
Aleena's mind was already racing with images of delicious frozen treats, but more than that, she looked forward to spending quality time with the boy beside her.
 
Shane chuckled warmly, his eyes filled with affection as he gazed at his friend. "I knew you'd be up for it."
 
Hearing Shane's words sent a rush of happiness through Aleena, and she found it impossible to stop smiling throughout the rest of the class.
 
Unbeknownst to the two best friends, a pair of silent eyes observed their exchange, their brows furrowing slightly, a hint of concern clouding their gaze.
 
***
 
The final school bell chimed, and Shane exited his last class, making his way toward his locker to gather some books before meeting Aleena. Daisy's comment at the start of the day had stirred something within him, making him realize just how little time he had been spending with his best friend. The truth was, he missed Aleena's presence, that infectious gummy smile that would appear every time they indulged in ice cream. Shane chuckled to himself, reminiscing about how Aleena always managed to get a bit of ice cream on her chin.
 
His locker was nearly emptied when he spotted Daisy, sitting alone on one of the back staircases of the school. His breath caught as he took in her beauty, illuminated by the bright lighting. She appeared lost in thought, gazing out at the school field as though searching for someone. Shane swiftly closed his locker and cautiously entered the stairwell.
 
"Daisy?"
 
Startled, she turned to face him. "Oh, Shane, hi," she greeted with a smile.
 
Shane inquired, "What are you still doing here? Don't you and Jayden usually walk home together?"
 
Without questioning how he knew this, Daisy replied, "Yeah, but Jayden mentioned he already went home with a friend today. I was just sitting here, looking out for someone. Can't seem to spot them, though."
 
She began to stand up, brushing off her skirt.
 
"Just going to head out," she said, offering one last smile to Shane.
 
"Wait, hold on," Shane implored, reaching out to grab her hand, not wanting to let this chance slip away. He glanced at her, his eyebrows raised in uncertainty. Shane blushed and quickly released her hand.
 
"Why don't I walk you home?" he stammered, his hand rubbing his neck. "I mean, I don't want you to get hurt or anything... I mean, it's a dangerous neighborhood."
 
Daisy regarded him with an amused smile but agreed, humoring his offer. "Sure, Shane, that's sweet of you."
 
Shane beamed at the compliment and began escorting Daisy out of the school, temporarily forgetting his prior commitment to meet Aleena. As they walked together, their conversation flowed effortlessly, the bond between them growing stronger with each step. This spontaneous decision would set in motion a series of events that would test the complexities of friendship and love.