After the whirlwind of the confession, the afternoon passed in a blur.
Aubrey barely heard anything the teachers said. Her notebook lay open in front of her, but her pen never moved. All she could focus on was the single word that kept echoing in her mind.
"Okay."
She had said yes.
Her first boyfriend. Her first confession. Her first everything.
And she didn't even know his name.
By the time the final bell rang, her stomach twisted in knots. Her legs felt weak. Every heartbeat was loud in her ears.
"Come on, Aubby, let's hit the restroom first," Himeka said, her pink hair bouncing as she looped her arm through Aubrey's with a grin. "You need to look perfect for this guy."
The others—Yui and Mei—nodded eagerly, their eyes glinting with excitement. Before Aubrey could protest, they swept her out of the classroom.
---
The girls' restroom was a full of activity. The air smell with the sweet scent of perfume and the sharp tang of lip gloss.
The lights cast a glow on the tiled walls, reflecting off the wide mirror where the four girls clustered around Aubrey like bees tending to their queen. Makeup bags spilled open on the counter, brushes and tubes clattering as they worked.
Himeka, the pink-haired ringleader, was petite a girl, with hair, dyed a vibrant pink, was styled in loose waves that cascaded past her shoulders, the ends grazing the collar of her school blazer. Her round face was framed by wispy bangs that she constantly flicked out of her brown eyes.
Her school uniform was slightly altered—a shorter skirt than regulation, the hem barely brushing her thighs, and her tie loosened just enough to look effortlessly cool. She leaned close to Aubrey, uncapping a tube of lip tint with a flourish.
Yui was the delicate one, with chestnut hair was pin-straight, falling to her mid-back in a sleek curtain, parted slightly off-center to reveal a smooth, pale forehead. Her uniform was pristine, the blazer buttoned neatly, though she'd rolled the sleeves up to her elbows, revealing slender wrists adorned with a thin silver bracelet. She hovered over Aubrey, adjusting her bangs with a critical eye.
Mei was the tallest, with jet-black hair was cut into a sharp bob that ended just above her shoulders, the edges razor-straight and gleaming under the lights.
Her uniform was worn with a deliberate edge—the skirt hiked up slightly, the top button of her shirt undone, and her tie slung loosely around her neck like an afterthought. She leaned against the sink, arms crossed, watching the others.
And then there was Aubrey, the center of their attention, her reflection in the mirror almost surreal under their care.
Her long, glossy black hair shimmered like polished obsidian, the strands falling in soft, natural waves that reached her lower back. Her bangs, slightly longer now, grazed her brow, framing her small, heart-shaped face in a way that accentuated her delicate features.
Her skin was flawless, a creamy porcelain, the lips were full and naturally pink, parted slightly as she stared at herself, her expression a mix of nerves and uncertainty.
The black blazer of her school uniform hugged her slender frame, the crisp white shirt beneath tucked neatly into her skirt, which fell just below her knees.
Her hands, slender and graceful, fidgeted nervously, the soft skin catching the light as she gripped the edge of the sink. As her friends fussed over her.
Himeka dabbed the lip tint onto Aubrey's lips, the soft pink shade enhancing their natural fullness. "This is the color," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "It's subtle but sexy. Makes your lips look like you're begging to be kissed."
"Kiss?" Aubrey's voice was barely a whisper, her green eyes widening. "We're just… meeting, aren't we?"
Yui laughed, "Oh, Aubby, don't be so innocent. You said yes to a guy who confessed in front of everyone. He's not just gonna want to talk about the weather." She tucked a stray strand of Aubrey's hair behind her ear, her fingers lingering. "You need to look like you're ready for more."
Mei snorted, pushing off the sink to join them. "Yeah, don't act like a little kid. Guys like him, who are hot, and confident expect you to keep up. If he wants to hold your hand, you let him. If he pulls you somewhere quiet, you go. Don't make him think you're boring." Her gray eyes looked at him, "You're gorgeous, but you gotta act like you know it."
Aubrey's fingers tightened around the sink, her knuckles whitening. "But… I don't even know his name. What if he—"
"His name's Takuto," Mei cut in smoothly, "Class 3-B. Total heartthrob. My boyfriend knows him—they hang out sometimes." She didn't mention that she knew more about Takuto than she was letting on.
That he was the kind of guy who charmed girls for a week, maybe two, before moving on to the next. About beating other, stealing money, and molesting girls.
Mei's eyes gleamed, but her voice stayed casual. "You're lucky, Aubby. He doesn't just ask out anyone."
Himeka nodded, spritzing a cloud of floral perfume over Aubrey's uniform. "Exactly. You can't mess this up. Guys like Takuto don't wait around. If you act all shy and weird, he'll ditch you for someone who's not afraid to have fun." She paused, "You don't want to be the girl who got dumped in few days, right? It would be very bad if this happened."
Yui chimed in, "Yeah. So just give him your number right away. And don't be all stiff when you talk to him. Smile, laugh at his jokes, touch his arm a little. Guys love that. Oh, and if he leans in for a kiss, do not pull away. You'll look like a prude."
"A kiss?" Aubrey's voice cracked, her face flushing a soft pink that made her look even more beautiful. "But..."
Himeka rolled her eyes, capping the lip tint with a dramatic sigh. "God, Aubby, you're such a baby sometimes. Everyone kisses their boyfriend. It's not a big deal. You want your first kiss to be with a guy like Takuto, trust me. He's hot, and he knows what he's doing." She leaned closer, "If you dodge it, he'll think you're not into him. And then you're done."
Mei's smirk grew, her tone almost challenging. "Yeah, and don't be surprised if he wants to go somewhere private. Like, behind the gym or the old science building. Guys like that don't want an audience all the time. If he takes you there, just go with it. Doesn't mean you have to do anything crazy, but don't freak out and run off. That's how you lose a guy fast."
Aubrey's heart pounded, her breath catching. "Private? But… what if I'm not ready for that?"
Yui tilted her head, "Aubby, you can't keep acting like you're still in elementary school. You're gorgeous—guys are gonna want you. If you keep saying no to everything, they'll stop asking. You don't want to be the girl nobody wants, do you?" She adjusted Aubrey's collar, her fingers brushing the smooth skin of her neck. "Just let him lead. It's easier that way. After all, you're inexperienced."
Himeka nodded, "Besides, you're already way ahead of most girls. Look at you." She gestured at the mirror, where Aubrey's reflection glowed under the lights. Her hair was a cascade of glossy black waves, her bangs perfectly framing her luminous green eyes. The lip tint made her lips look fuller, softer, almost irresistible. The perfume clung to her uniform, a subtle floral scent that seemed to enhance her natural elegance. Even the way her blazer hugged her curves, the slight swell of her chest, made her look like she'd stepped out of a magazine. "You're a goddess, Aubby. Act like it. Takuto's gonna lose his mind when he sees you."
Mei laughed, "Oh, he's already lost it. Confessing in front of everyone? That's bold. But guys like that move fast. If he wants to kiss you—or more—you better not freeze up. You're not a kid anymore. Time to grow up." She paused, her gray eyes locking onto Aubrey's in the mirror. "Unless you want to stay the shy little virgin forever."
Aubrey's face burned, her hands trembling as she clutched her phone. The word virgin hit her like a slap, sharp and humiliating. She wanted to argue, to say she wasn't ready, but the words wouldn't come. Her friends' voices overlapped, their advice piling onto her like a weight she couldn't shake off.
"Don't overthink it," Yui said, "Just go with the flow. If he wants to touch you, let him. It's not like he's gonna do anything too crazy on the first date. Probably."
Himeka grinned, nudging Aubrey's shoulder. "Yeah, and if he does, just roll with it. You're not gonna die. My first boyfriend got handsy on our second date, and I was fine. It's just how guys are. You'll get used to it."
Mei's smirk returned, "And if in future he asks you to sneak off somewhere after school—like, to his place or whatever—don't say no right away. Play it cool. Guys love a girl who's up for an adventure. You don't have to do anything you don't want, but at least make him think you might."
Aubrey's chest tightened, a knot of panic twisting inside her. This wasn't what she'd imagined when she said yes. She'd thought of shy smiles, maybe holding hands, talking about favorite movies or music. Not… this.
Not kissing a stranger, or sneaking off to private places, or letting him touch her. Her mind flashed to the romance dramas she'd watched, the soft, slow moments of love. This felt nothing like that.
But her friends were watching her, their smiles bright, waiting for her to agree. To be like them. To finally belong.
She thought of the years she'd spent on the sidelines, nodding along as they gossip about boyfriends, breakups, and secret rendezvous. She'd always felt left out, like she was missing something vital. Now, she had a chance to be part of their world. To have stories of her own. To not be the odd one out.
"Yeah…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Okay."
Himeka clapped her hands, her grin wide. "That's our girl! You're gonna kill it, Aubby. Takuto's not gonna know what hit him."
Yui giggled, spritzing one last cloud of perfume over Aubrey. "You look perfect. Just don't chicken out, okay? You've got this."
Mei's eyes gleamed as she pushed off the sink, her voice low and teasing. "And if he tries something, just remember: you're Aubrey. You're untouchable. But, like… maybe let him touch a little. Keep him hooked."
They laughed, but Aubrey's smile was forced, her heart heavy as she stared at her reflection. The girl in the mirror was stunning—her hair gleaming, her lips soft and glossy, her uniform accentuating every curve. But she didn't feel like a goddess. She felt like a doll, dressed up and pushed into a role she didn't understand.
---
What Aubrey didn't know was that the giggles hid the malicious intent.
Mei knew Takuto better than she told Aubrey. She knew what type of guy he is.
Himeka and Yui weren't clueless either. They'd heard the rumors, seen the way Takuto's exes stopped showing up to school events, their faces pale and eyes red. But they stayed silent, their smiles never faltering.
Aubrey was their friend, yes—but she was also their goddess.
The one who drew every eye, who made boys stumble over their words, who made other girls whisper with envy.
They'd accepted Aubrey in their circle when others turned away, when the jealous whispers grew too loud. They'd been her shield to protect her.
But shields could crack.
Deep down, Aubrey knew, but she stayed. Because having them was better than having no one.
Because if she lost them, who would she have?
Zane?
No. Never.
Not at school. Not where her friends might see. She couldn't let them know she had brother who is just ordinary looking, the one who blended into the background like he didn't exist. They'd laugh. Or worse—they'd leave her.
So she kept her distance, even though it hurt. Even though she missed the way Zane used to hold her hand.
She missed his quiet voice, the way he'd listen to her sing without ever getting bored. But that was before. Before junior high, before the rumors, before she became the goddess everyone watched.
As she walked toward the school gates to meet a boy whose name she'd only just learned, her heart wasn't soaring with excitement. It was sinking, heavy with doubt.
But she ignored it.
This was her chance to belong. To be like her friends. To finally have a story worth telling.
Right?