Chapter 12: Lights, Fights & Future Frights
Thursday – 3:48 p.m.
The school was buzzing. Posters everywhere. Streamers hanging from classroom doors. Loud music from the drama club. It was finally time for the Annual Fall Festival—the biggest event of the semester.
Students were prepping stalls, rehearsing performances, setting up lights.
The gang?
They were running Booth #17: "Dare to Win" — a ridiculous, fun game of spinning wheels and silly challenges. Lana's idea, obviously.
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Behind the Booth – Laughs & Looks
"I vote Noah has to do the chicken dance every time someone loses," Lana said.
Noah deadpanned, "I'm applying to Ivy Leagues. I can't have that footage exist."
"That's the spirit!" Ethan grinned, already wearing a flamingo hat.
Aiden was stacking the prizes, Aria painting the booth sign in delicate detail.
They looked... good together.
A little too good.
Lana noticed Noah watching Aria. Quietly.
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Later – Small Crowds, Big Conversations
As students trickled through the booths, the gang took shifts.
Aiden and Aria wandered over to the music stage.
"You ever think about what comes after this?" Aria asked.
"You mean school?"
She nodded. "You're chasing scholarships. Ethan's got his music. Noah's practically already a professor…"
"And you?" Aiden asked, curious.
"I don't know yet," she whispered. "But it feels like everyone else does."
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That Night – The Argument
Back at Lana's house—the "post-festival crash zone"—things took a turn.
"I'm just saying," Noah said, "we should be spending more time thinking about applications. We can't joke our way into the future."
"Wow," Ethan snapped. "Glad to know I'm not serious enough for you."
"That's not what I meant—"
"You said it loud enough."
"Guys," Lana tried. "Not tonight."
"No, let him talk," Ethan stood. "We all know he thinks he's better than the rest of us."
Noah blinked, genuinely stunned. "That's not—Ethan, we're friends."
"Sometimes it doesn't feel like it," Ethan muttered.
The room went quiet.
Even the clock ticking sounded loud.
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Later That Night – Quiet Mending
Everyone had gone quiet, splitting off into corners.
Aria found Ethan outside, sitting on the porch swing.
"You know he didn't mean it like that," she said softly.
"I know," he said. "Doesn't mean it didn't sting."
"He's scared. We all are. Maybe that's why we're starting to snap."
He looked at her.
"Do you ever wish we could just freeze time?" he asked.
She smiled faintly. "All the time."
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Meanwhile – Upstairs
Aiden found Noah pacing Lana's room.
"She's mad at me, isn't she?"
"She's not mad. She's disappointed," Aiden said bluntly.
"Great."
"Look, man. We're all stressed. But you can't go full lecture mode on your best friend."
"I was trying to help."
"Try listening next time," Aiden said. "Just be there."
Noah sat down. "When did you become wise?"
"Probably right before I nearly passed out on that drop tower," Aiden smirked.
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The night ended quietly.
No big laughs. No dramatic hugs.
Just tired hearts… figuring it out.