Zeyon’s POV
Man, if I could only press pause on this day, I seriously would. Everything’s just spinning and playing weird like a slow movie scene you watch with one eye half closed, hoping something makes sense but it doesn't. And right now, I’m stuck between a not-so-happy Allison, a curious Elisse, Leo who's too loud as usual, and Jessa who’s just being her annoying dramatic self.
We’re still at the café.
Nobody talks for a second.
Jessa is just sitting there, acting like she didn’t just trip over her own heels five minutes ago. Her smile is too wide, too perfect, like she’s trying so hard to show she's not bothered that everyone saw her make a total fool of herself. I glance at Leo who is busy looking through the new cups he brought like they’re made of gold.
Elisse is quiet too. But I can see her brows slightly raised and the way she sips her coffee like she’s trying to keep herself from saying something. I know that look. I’ve known Elisse for months now through Leo. She’s sweet, yeah, but she has this no-nonsense vibe when things don’t feel right. And right now, Jessa’s vibe is probably setting her off.
And Allison? She’s not even looking at anyone. She’s just playing with the edge of her iced coffee glass like it suddenly became her best friend. No smile. No jokes. Just that look on her face like she wants to disappear. My stomach feels weird seeing her like that.
"Sooo," Jessa starts, flipping her hair and giving everyone a fake laugh, "this café got a glow-up. Or is it just because Zeyon's here today?"
Leo snorts. "It only glowed up because I brought the new cups. You tripped over them too, remember?"
Jessa glares at him but tries to keep the laugh going. "Oh come on, it was just a small fall. I wanted to make an entrance."
"Mission accomplished," Elisse says under her breath.
I pretend not to hear that but my lips twitch. Leo hears it though and his shoulders shake from holding in his laugh.
"So," I say, trying to clear the air. "You guys wanna order something else? The pastries here are fresh today."
"I want cheesecake," Jessa says quickly, her hand already reaching for the menu.
"Didn’t you just order a drink like...five minutes ago?" Leo raises an eyebrow.
"I tripped, I need sugar. Doctor's order," she replies, flipping her hair again.
Allison finally speaks. Quietly. "I thought you said you were on a strict diet last week."
Jessa freezes. Everyone looks at her.
"Oh," Jessa blinks. "I was. But diets are for Mondays. Today's... not Monday, right?"
Leo almost spits his drink.
I chuckle, but then I see Allison still not laughing. Her face is blank. It makes me wanna nudge her, pull her out of whatever heavy cloud she’s under.
"You okay?" I ask her, leaning a little.
She blinks at me, then gives a tiny smile. "Yeah. Just tired."
"You sure?"
She nods. "Yeah."
But I don’t believe it.
Elisse suddenly asks, "So... how long have you all known each other?"
Leo and I exchange looks. Jessa perks up like it’s her moment.
"Oh, me and Zeyon? Ages. Like, childhood stuff. We were always together. Weren't we, Zeyon?"
Here we go.
"Yeah," I say flat. "You were always around."
"And Leo? He’s like Zeyon’s shadow. They work together. And me? I just drop by sometimes to see how the bakeshop’s doing," she says, twirling her straw.
Elisse nods slowly, clearly not impressed. "That’s... nice."
Allison stays silent.
Then Leo, out of nowhere, slaps the table. "Okay! Let’s play a game. Things are way too serious here."
I groan. "Leo, we're not in middle school."
"Shhh, let me speak. One question per person, no lying allowed. Everyone answers."
"I’m in!" Jessa claps.
"Of course you are," Elisse mumbles.
Leo points at me first. "Zeyon, what's your most embarrassing childhood memory. Go."
"Ugh," I roll my eyes. "Fine. When I was ten, I peed my pants in front of my crush at school. It was sports fest, I drank too much water, okay?"
Everyone bursts out laughing. Even Allison lets out a small giggle. I stare at her. That sound is gold.
"Next! Allison, your turn."
She thinks for a second. "I once sang in front of the whole class during an open mic thinking it was karaoke night. Turned out, it was poetry night. Everyone just stared."
"Yikes," Elisse laughs.
"Nooo," I say, laughing. "I would’ve clapped. Singing's better."
Leo points to Elisse. "Go."
"I... once accidentally texted my professor 'hey cutie' instead of my boyfriend."
Dead silence.
"Did he reply?" Allison asks, eyes wide.
"Worse. He heart-reacted it."
Chaos. Laughter everywhere.
Jessa goes next.
"Once, I accidentally wore two different heels to school and only realized during class photo."
"You mean you tripped less on one side?" Leo says, nearly crying.
Allison finally bursts into real laughter. And I don’t care how long we sit here, or how awkward earlier was. That laugh makes everything worth it.
The bell dings again, but this time, none of us even look back.
We’re all too busy laughing, teasing, joking.
Even Jessa forgot to act annoying for a second.
Even Allison forgot to look away.
And for once, just for this little café moment... everything felt okay.
Like real okay.
Like maybe things don’t have to hurt all the time.
Maybe they can heal.
One laugh at a time.