Daniela thrived in crowds—in flashing lights, pulsing bass, and the way music wrapped around her like a second skin. She lived for the afterparties: the buzz, the chaos, the sense that the night might never end.
Tonight was no different. She was in her element, laughing over the rim of her drink, basking in the energy. KATSEYE had just wrapped a massive performance, and the industry elite were out in full force. This—this celebration—was her favorite part.
Well. Most of it.
Not this part.
The guy hovering too close, his hand grazing her arm like he owned it. Some Hollywood actor—A-list and insufferably persistent. Sure, he was handsome, but clearly unfamiliar with the concept of boundaries.
"You're stunning," he said, voice low as he leaned in. "Let me take you out. One night. You won't regret it."
Daniela edged back, uncomfortable. "I appreciate the offer, really, but—"
"Come on, don't make me beg," he said, his fingers brushing her arm, smile too smug to be charming.
She didn't smile back. His touch was too unfamiliar. His grin, too entitled.
Then, before she could shut him down, an arm slipped around her waist—steady, warm.
"She's taken."
Sophia's voice. Calm. Clear. Unshakable.
Daniela's heart stuttered. Still, she played along without hesitation, leaning into Sophia like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The actor's eyes narrowed. "Since when?"
Sophia didn't flinch. "Since always."
Daniela felt Sophia's fingers press lightly into her hip, anchoring her. Then, as if sensing the disbelief in the air, Sophia leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek—soft, fleeting—and Daniela flushed.
"Well. My bad," the actor muttered, stomping away like a kid denied a toy.
Crisis: averted.
Daniela turned to Sophia, exhaling. "I could've handled it, but... thank you."
"He was too close. I didn't like it. You looked uncomfortable, and I wasn't going to stand there doing nothing," Sophia said, still tense. "Besides, guys like that only back off if they think you're with someone."
Her hand stayed on Daniela's back as she added, "Come on. Let's go find the others before they start causing trouble."
Sophia tugged her gently into the crowd, and Daniela followed, heart still fluttering.
It wasn't supposed to mean anything. Just a friend helping her out.
That is, until the next morning, when social media exploded.
"KATSEYE's Sophia & Daniela: Industry's New Power Couple?"
Daniela groaned into her pillow as her phone buzzed relentlessly. Barely five minutes awake, and the notifications were already out of control.
Fan edits. Reaction videos. Wild theories.
GUYS THEY'VE BEEN DATING UNDER OUR NOSES WTF"
"Sophia saying 'since always' actually ENDED ME"
"THE CHEEK KISS. THE WAY DANIELA LEANED INTO HER. THIS IS LOVE."
Daniela blinked at her screen. "Where did they even get this video..."
To make it worse, the actor—probably trying to save face—had gone on record confirming the rumor.
"Yeah, I didn't know she was with Sophia. They looked happy together, though."
Something about the way he said it didn't sit right with her. The smile, maybe. Or the tone.
Sophia dropped onto the couch beside her, phone in hand. "Well," she said, tossing it onto the table, "looks like we're dating now. Our manager will be here in ten."
Daniela flopped onto her back with a groan. "We're dead. Totally dead. They're gonna kill us."
Sophia chuckled. "Maybe. But they won't. They need us."
Daniela sighed. "Yeah, but they're definitely not going easy."
Sophia glanced down at her. "No. But at least we've got each other."
The next ten minutes stretched like an eternity. Daniela sat, nerves tangled up in her gut, while Sophia paced, already strategizing.
Trying to fix it. Trying to make it all go away.
When their manager arrives, they waste no time dragging Sophia and Daniela into the office, already pulling up a video call with the rest of the team.
“Okay, we have a crisis on our hands,” the manager says flatly. “And you two? You were reckless.”
Sophia and Daniela sink into their chairs as the words hit. The manager points at them, clearly frustrated.
“We didn’t know someone was filming us,” Daniela says weakly, her voice small.
“You should always assume someone is,” their manager snaps. “You’re in the public eye now—there are always eyes on you. You both know better.”
“What was I supposed to do? Just watch while Dani got harassed?” Sophia fires back, her jaw tight. “The guy was getting too close. I wasn’t going to sit back and let it happen. I stepped in to protect her. Are you seriously going to punish me for that?”
“No, of course not.” The manager’s voice softens slightly. “We reviewed the footage. It’s clear the guy was out of line, and we know you wouldn’t have gotten involved unless it was serious. We’re not mad at you. We’re mad at the situation.”
They pause, glancing at the screen where the rest of the team watches silently.
“But the internet doesn’t see nuance. Right now, it looks like you just announced your relationship. It looks like you were hiding it and got jealous. That’s the narrative picking up steam—and that’s why, effective immediately, you’re going to have to fake date.”
Sophia and Daniela shoot up from their seats. “What?” they shout in unison.
“You can’t make us do that,” Sophia says, arms crossed tightly.
“Doesn’t that violate the ‘no relationships within the group’ clause?” Daniela adds, brows furrowed.
“Yes, it does. But we wrote the clause—we can bend it,” the manager replies coolly. “And yes, you’re doing it. It’ll be good press for the comeback.”
“Why can’t we just deny it?” Sophia asks, clearly agitated.
“Because if we deny it, the fans might feel lied to. That could backfire hard,” the manager explains.
“But they’re the ones making it up,” Sophia argues. “They’re finding ‘proof’ where there isn’t any.”
“They’re not going to listen to logic. There’s video of you calling Daniela your girlfriend. That’s enough. Anything else is noise.”
Sophia clenches her jaw. “Then what if we tell the truth—that the guy was being creepy and I defended her?”
The manager sighs, glancing at the call. “We considered that. But that man has more pull in the industry than we do. If we go after him, he’ll bury Katseye. He has a history of retaliation when he doesn’t get his way—and well, Dani rejecting him may have pushed him over the edge. We think he leaked the video.”
Sophia sits back down slowly, the fight draining out of her. As much as she hates it, the manager has a point. The actor is a beloved figure. If he turned public opinion against them, it could ruin everything.
“What would be required of us?” she asks quietly.
“Nothing crazy. Just a few public appearances, maybe some photos. Enough to keep the story believable. You’ll ‘date’ for a few months, and then we’ll stage a mutual breakup—no drama, no harm done.”
“I’ll do it,” Daniela says suddenly.
Sophia whips her head toward her. “What?”
“It’s fine,” Daniela says with a shrug. “We make a few appearances, smile for some cameras, break up later—end of story. It keeps the band safe. Plus, there are worse people I could fake date.”
Sophia’s brow furrows. “Are you sure? I don’t want this to ruin anything between us. I don’t want things to get weird.”
“We’ll be okay,” Daniela says gently. “Our friendship is stronger than a few staged photos.”
Sophia searches her eyes, looking for any hesitation—but Daniela just gives her a calm, steady smile.
“Okay,” Sophia says at last. “But the second this crosses a line—if you ask us to do something we’re not comfortable with—we’re done.”
“Of course,” the manager replies with a smile. “We’d never ask that.”
Sophia mutters under her breath, “You already are.”
The manager pretends not to hear. “Good. I’ll loop in the PR team. You’re dismissed.”
As soon as they’re out of the office, Daniela exhales dramatically. “So…”
“So…” Sophia echoes.
“We don’t have to do this,” Sophia says quickly.
“No, it’s okay. I want to. I mean—I don’t want this to get messier. What we do affects everyone. If this is what it takes to protect the group, I’m in.” She pauses. “It won’t be too bad. I mean, I could be fake dating worse people.”
Sophia cracks a smile. “You’re ridiculous. We should probably tell the girls so they know what's happening. I'm surprised they haven't been blowing up out phones about what's happening."
"They probably saw us getting dragged away by our manager. Knew not to get involved. They're already scared of incurring your wrath, much less our teams." Daniela jokes.
“I’m not that scary.”
“Yes, you are. You like it,” Daniela teases. “The look of terror in their eyes, the way they scatter when they know you’re mad…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sophia says with an all-too-smug grin.
Daniela laughs as she heads toward the living room. “Sure you don’t.”
Sophia follows after her. “Seriously. I don’t.”
Daniela just shakes her head, still smiling.
Lucky for them, Sophia and Daniela don’t have to go hunting for the rest of the girls. They walk into the living room to find everyone already camped on the couch, watching them like hawks.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Sophia smirks.
The others roll their eyes, clearly used to her antics.
“So… we heard about the video,” Manon says, trailing off carefully.
“Oh, that?” Sophia waves a hand, nonchalant. “Just me fending off another creepy dude.”
The girls deflates—just a little.
“What was he doing?” Megan asks, her brows drawing together.
“He was all over Dani. Didn’t know how to take no for an answer,” Sophia mutters, eyes darkening.
“But Soph was there. Scared him off like a pro,” Daniela adds quickly, trying to keep things from escalating again.
Sophia huffs as she flops onto the couch. “I just hate guys like that. They think they’re entitled to whatever they want.”
“Let’s just forget him. He’s a nobody,” Daniela says, easing down next to her. There’s not much room, so she stretches her legs across Sophia’s lap and leans against her. Without thinking, Sophia settles a hand on her legs.
The other girls notice, but no one moves to give them more space.
“So… what did our manager say?” Lara asks, eyes narrowing. “I saw you get pulled into the office.”
Sophia shrugs. “We have to fake date.”
Everyone stares.
“Oh, that’s interesting,” Yoonchae says, lips twitching.
“They think it’ll be good for the comeback,” Daniela explains.
“And apparently, that actor dude is the one who leaked the video. Some kind of revenge thing after getting rejected,” Sophia adds, eyes rolling.
“You’re kidding.” Lara looks furious. “So he gets turned down and decides to out you? One, you haven’t even publicly said anything about your sexualities, and two—what a flaming asshole. I hate men.”
“Seconded,” Manon mutters.
“Me too,” Megan says, nodding.
“They really can be the worst,” Daniela agrees.
“Yoonchae, learn now—men suck,” Sophia says, pointing at her. “And you’re not dating anyone until we vet them first.”
Yoonchae raises an eyebrow. “Seriously? You’re all gonna interrogate my future partner?”
“Duh,” Manon says with a grin.
“Obviously. We gotta make sure they’re good enough for our Yoonchip,” Lara adds.
“And who says you’ll even know when I start dating?” Yoonchae shoots back smugly.
Sophia’s eyes narrow, playful but sharp. “Oh, I’ll know. Nothing happens in this house without me knowing.”
“Okay, tone down the creepy, Soph,” Daniela laughs, patting her arm. “What we’re saying, Yoonchae, is we just want to make sure nobody hurts you.”
“I appreciate it,” Yoonchae says with a warm smile. “But don’t worry, dating’s not on the schedule right now. We’re way too busy.”
“Speaking of schedules,” she adds with a pout. “Soph, can you start dinner? I’m starving.”
“Sure, what ingredients do we have?” Sophia asks as she gets up, gently lifting Daniela’s legs from her lap.
“We haven’t gone shopping yet…” Manon winces.
Sophia sighs, but she’s not surprised. “Alright, I’ll go to the store. Still early. Anyone wanna come with?”
“I volunteer Dani,” Yoonchae says immediately.
“Wait, what? Why me?” Daniela asks, caught off guard.
“Because Soph needs a driver,” Yoonchae replies smoothly.
“I’d go, but my car’s in the shop,” Megan adds, shrugging.
“And I’ve got family dinner in an hour,” Lara says, already pulling out her phone.
Daniela sighs in defeat. “Okay, I guess that leaves me.”
“You don’t have to,” Sophia says, suddenly uncertain. “I can call one of our drivers—”
“No, no. I want to go,” Daniela interrupts, already grabbing her shoes. “Besides, I can help you plan meals for the week.”
Sophia smiles softly. “Thanks, Dani.”
“Of course. Now come on, passenger princess—your chariot awaits,” Daniela says with a wink as she holds the front door open.
The rest of the girls watch as Sophia and Daniela walk out the front door.
"So," Manon starts, stretching her arms over the back of the couch, "how long do we think this fake dating thing is gonna last before they realize their feelings?"
"I give it a month," Lara says confidently. "This whole pretend romance has got to shake something loose."
"No way. Sophia's gonna get all responsible and 'professional,' and Dani’ll act weird, which will just make Sophia overthink everything," Megan says, brow furrowing in thought. "Three, maybe four months."
Manon shakes her head. "Nah, I don’t think they’ll be that oblivious. Two months, max."
"I’ll bet you all ten bucks it takes longer than four months," Yoonchae chimes in, smirking. "They are totally that oblivious."
The girls exchange looks, weighing their odds.
"We’re in," Megan grins. "But I wanna place another bet—Sophia’s gonna confess first. Dani would totally chicken out."
"What? No," Manon objects, sitting up straighter. "It’ll definitely be Dani. She already told me she had a crush on Sophia. Now she just needs to realize it’s love. And she’s not a chicken."
"I gotta agree with Megan," Lara jumps in. "Remember during training when Dani avoided Sophia for like, three days? She got so weird about it that Sophia literally cornered her to ask if she was mad at her."
"Yeah, Sophia has way more confidence when it comes to this kind of stuff," Yoonchae nods. "Though… Megan’s right, she might hold back out of duty."
Manon crosses her arms, mock-offended. "Wow. No faith in Dani, huh?"
"Nope," Megan says without missing a beat.
"We just know her," Yoonchae shrugs, grinning.
"Alright then," Manon declares. "I bet a hundred bucks Dani confesses first."
Megan’s grin widens. "Deal. Be prepared to be broke. Again."
"Hey! That was the one time I paid for your food!" Manon protests. "You guys have expensive taste. Who even shops at Erewhon on purpose?"
"It’s good food," Lara shrugs, not the least bit sorry.
"Yeah, but you guys went off. I’ve never seen anyone fill a cart like that. I swear you were trying to bankrupt me."
Lara gives her a sheepish smile. "Maybe a little. I wanted to see how long it’d take you to stop me. And I paid you back after—I felt bad. You were being sweet, and I was messing around."
"It’s fine," Manon says, softening. "It’s funny now. Honestly, I probably thought you were just really hungry."
Lara laughs as she stands up. "Speaking of food, I’ve gotta get to dinner."
"Tell Mama Raj I say hi," Megan calls out.
"Enjoy!" Manon adds.
"Bye!" Yoonchae waves.
It started with small, calculated gestures—just enough to spark whispers. A conveniently timed coffee run, “accidentally” caught by paparazzi. Fake dates disguised as casual hangouts, always public enough to make headlines but not so obvious that it felt forced.
Then came the staged intimacy: fingers brushing before finally linking in front of fans. Glances held a moment too long during interviews. Quiet smiles exchanged like secrets. They shared jackets when the air turned cold—once even draping one over the other’s shoulders mid-interview, straight out of a rom-com. During livestreams and award shows, they sat just a little too close, whispering into each other's ears like the rest of the world didn’t exist.
Social media lit up. Airport sightings. Matching outfits. Mirror selfies that felt almost too intimate. Fans dissected every detail, screen-capped every interaction, slowed down every video. Edits flooded timelines, hashtags trended.
And then, slowly, something shifted.
Sophia and Daniela stopped thinking about the cameras. The small, performative gestures became habits—muscle memory. Daniela would reach for Sophia’s hand without thinking. Sophia would peel off her coat the moment Daniela shivered, or wordlessly grab a blanket. They began to glance at each other when the other wasn’t looking.
Even at home, with no one watching, they’d curl up on the couch under the same blanket, heads close, talking late into the night or half-watching reruns with sleepy smiles. What once had to be choreographed now came naturally—effortless.
And of course, the girls noticed the change.
“They’re so close to realizing,” Lara said, watching them from across the room with a soft grin.
“Yeah, it can’t be long now. I’m this close to winning the bet,” Yoonchae said, holding up two fingers nearly touching.
“Ugh, I can’t believe they still haven’t confessed,” Manon groaned, flopping back against the cushions.
“You’re just mad you lost,” Megan teased, nudging her.
“What? No,” Manon pouted, folding her arms. “Besides, I could still win our other bet.”
But in truth, none of them really cared about the bets.
They just wanted Sophia and Daniela to be happy. To realize what everyone else already saw so clearly—that whatever had started as make-believe had become something real. Something beautiful. Something worth risking everything for.
One night, at yet another party, Daniela found herself watching Sophia from across the room. Her breath caught unexpectedly—something about the way Sophia laughed, the way she moved, the way she threw her head back with that carefree grin—it tugged at something in her chest.
It was annoying.
She’d seen Sophia a million times before. But tonight, for some reason, everything felt different.
“Earth to Dani.”
Daniela blinked, startled. Manon stood in front of her now, arms crossed and smirking, head tilted like she already knew the answer to a question Daniela hadn’t asked.
“Oh—sorry,” Daniela said quickly, shaking it off.
“You looked like you were having a moment,” Manon teased, leaning in slightly.
Daniela scoffed and threw an arm around her shoulders. “I wasn’t staring at Soph.”
“I never said anything about her.” Manon’s smirk grew wider. “But now that you mention it... why were you?”
Daniela hesitated. “I... I don’t know. She just looks like she’s having fun. It’s nice to see.”
“Right.” Manon let it hang there for a second. “Well, why don’t you go join her? You do know how much she loves a dance partner.”
“Yeah.” Daniela nodded. “Yeah, maybe I will.” But her feet didn’t move.
Manon raised a brow. “You good?”
Daniela nodded again, then bit her lip. “I don’t know why I feel nervous all of a sudden.”
“It’s just Soph,” Manon said, giggling gently.
“I know…” Daniela trailed off, her voice quieter now.
“You don’t have to go,” Manon offered, more softly this time. “She’d be none the wiser.”
“I know. But I want to go dance with her,” Daniela said, fidgeting with her sleeves. Then, after a deep breath: “Okay. Bye, Manon. I’ll see you later.”
Manon watched her weave through the crowd, the nerves visible in her posture—until she reached Sophia. And just like that, Sophia lit up, grabbing Daniela’s hands instantly and pulling her into a dance.
Manon couldn’t see Daniela’s face from this angle, but she didn’t have to. She knew her friend was blushing like mad.
She smiled to herself and turned away to find one of the other girls, already feeling the warmth of victory. Not from the bet—but from watching the pieces finally fall into place.
That night after the party, something shifted.
Daniela started avoiding Sophia.
And to everyone's surprise, Sophia didn’t call it out.
In fact, she was avoiding Daniela too.
It’s hard to avoid someone you live with and work with, but somehow, they managed. The girls were honestly amazed. During rehearsals, Sophia and Daniela didn’t exchange more than a few words—but they also didn’t make it obvious. If you didn’t know them, you’d think everything was fine.
But the girls did know them.
And they knew this was the final stretch—the tension before the realization. The fear before the fall. All that was left was for someone to be brave enough to take the leap.
About a week after the party, Daniela was pacing in her room, again.
Manon, who loved her best friend dearly, was lying on her bed with a pillow over her face. “Dani, I say this with love—please stop pacing. It’s painful to watch.”
Daniela froze, sheepish. “Sorry.”
Manon peeked out from under the pillow and patted the empty spot beside her. “Wanna talk about it?”
Daniela hesitated, then shook her head. “No. I think I just need to sleep.”
“Okay,” Manon said gently. “But I’m always here, if you change your mind.”
“I know. Thanks, Manon.”
But sleep didn’t come easy. Daniela tossed and turned, her thoughts loud and relentless. Eventually, she gave up and slipped out of bed, heading to the kitchen for some water. Maybe she'd put on a movie and try to drown out her brain.
She wasn’t expecting anyone else to be up.
But there, sitting at the kitchen island with a mug in her hands, was Sophia—lost in thought.
Daniela stepped onto the creaky floorboard, and Sophia looked up, startled.
“Sorry,” Daniela said quickly. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Just came for some water.”
“No, it’s okay,” Sophia replied, voice soft. “I just thought everyone was asleep.”
“Yeah, me too.” Daniela poured herself a glass. “What’re you doing up?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” Sophia shrugged.
“Just one of those nights?” Daniela asked, already knowing the answer. Sophia had them sometimes.
“Yeah. Something like that.”
Daniela lingered for a moment, then said, “I was thinking of putting on a movie. If you want to join.”
Sophia smiled. “Yeah. That’d be nice.”
They ended up on opposite ends of the couch at first, the distance between them oddly deliberate. But as the minutes passed, the space began to shrink. Neither of them noticed how or when.
Eventually, Daniela’s head leaned against Sophia’s shoulder, exhaustion catching up with her. A moment later, Sophia rested her head gently atop Daniela’s, just as tired.
That’s how the rest of the girls found them the next morning—curled up together on the couch, fast asleep.
Lara didn’t even try to stop herself. She snapped a quick photo and smiled. “They’re so cute, it’s unreal.”
The others agreed silently, grabbing breakfast quietly before disappearing back to their rooms. No one wanted to break the moment.
About an hour later, the sun higher now, both girls stirred.
Daniela blinked sleepily, then realized where she was—and who she was snuggled against. Her face flushed instantly. “I… um… good morning.”
Sophia, equally red, gave a small smile. “Morning.”
Daniela sat up quickly. “I’m just—gonna go get ready.”
She was halfway up the stairs before Sophia could even nod.
Sophia stayed on the couch for a few more moments, running a hand through her hair, still processing. Her heart was thudding a little too loudly in her chest.
Something was changing.
Manon watched as Daniela burst through their bedroom door, eyes wide and face flushed. "You're awfully red."
Daniela gave an unconvincing shrug. "I'm hot?"
"Right..." Manon tilted her head, watching Daniela dart toward the bathroom. "Anything interesting happen this morning?" she asked casually, leaning against the doorframe.
"No, why?" Daniela muttered, not meeting Manon's gaze in the mirror.
"I don't know," Manon said, raising an eyebrow. "You almost broke off the door hinges and came in looking like a tomato."
Daniela paused for a moment, her cheeks deepening in color. "It's been an interesting morning," she admitted vaguely, still avoiding Manon's eyes.
Manon wasn’t buying it. "Speaking of, where were you this morning? I woke up and your bed was empty."
Daniela froze, her hands still on the sink. She stuttered, trying to come up with a reason. "I... I just couldn’t sleep."
Manon laughed softly, not missing a beat. "Yeah, definitely sounds like you’ve had an interesting morning."
Manon could feel the tension hanging in the air as she walked back to her bed. She watched Daniela closely, knowing the wheels were turning in her friend’s mind. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Daniela emerged from the bathroom.
"I think I’m ready," she said, almost to herself.
Manon looked up with a raised eyebrow. "Ready for work?" she teased, noting that Daniela was still in her pajamas.
Daniela looked down at her clothes. "What? No, I meant... I think I’m ready to talk about what's been bothering me."
Inside, Manon was cheering. Outwardly, she gave Daniela a warm, encouraging smile. "Okay. You know I’m here for you."
Daniela sat down on the edge of the bed, chewing on her lip. "I’ve been feeling things... things about someone close to me," she began slowly. "And I haven’t known what to do with this... realization." She paused, gathering her thoughts.
Manon stayed silent, giving her friend the space to continue.
"I’ve accepted it, I think," Daniela said, voice quieter now. "But... I’m still scared."
Manon nodded. "What are you scared about?"
"I’m scared of losing them," Daniela admitted, her voice cracking slightly. "This person is really important to me. What if things go wrong? What if everything gets weird? I don’t want to mess this up. And... there’s our management, and I haven’t even technically come out yet." Daniela’s voice wavered. "It feels... complicated."
"Dani, slow down and breathe." Manon’s voice softened, full of compassion. "I’m really proud of you for opening up. That’s not easy. It’s okay to be scared. But also, don’t forget the positives."
Daniela’s brows furrowed as she looked at Manon. "Positives?"
Manon smiled gently. "Yeah. What do you like about this person? What are the things that make you smile when you think about them?"
Daniela took a deep breath and sighed, her voice softening as she thought of Sophia. "I love her smile. It’s like... magic. It makes everything better. And when she’s sad... I can’t stand seeing her upset. I just want to protect her, make her feel safe, because she deserves everything good in the world. She's always taking care of everyone else, and I wish she'd take care of herself more. I want to be the one to make her happy. I want to be the reason she smiles. The reason she feels at peace."
She paused, her voice shaking a little. "Maybe the positives outweigh the negatives. I don’t know... I just... I’m scared."
Manon nodded thoughtfully. "I think you should tell her. You know how you are—if you keep it inside, it’ll eat you alive." She smiled warmly. "But if you’re not ready yet, that’s okay, too. Wait until you feel like you’re ready. Do it when your heart tells you. If you want to tell her now, go for it. If you want to wait a little longer, that’s great too. Whatever you choose, I’ll be here for you."
Daniela blinked, a little overwhelmed but grateful. "Thanks, Manon."
Manon gave her a wink. "Anytime. You’re not alone in this, Dani. Ever."
Sophia stood at Lara's door, nervously shifting on her feet. "Hey, Soph, what's up?" Lara greeted, opening the door.
"I just... need some advice. To talk." Sophia said, wringing her hands.
"Of course," Lara replied, offering a soft smile. "Come in."
Megan, who had been lying on the bed scrolling through her phone, looked up. "Hey, Soph. Is this a private conversation? I can leave."
"No, no, you can stay. I think you can help too," Sophia said quickly, her nerves making her voice tremble.
Lara smiled warmly. "Why don't we sit on my bed? I think that'll make you feel more comfortable."
Sophia nodded and sat down, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Megan and Lara exchanged a glance but stayed silent, letting Sophia take her time. After a long moment of silence, Megan tried to break it. "How's your mo—"
"I'm in love with Dani." Sophia blurted out, her voice a mix of panic and relief.
Lara and Megan froze, eyes widening in surprise. They hadn't expected her to say it so suddenly.
Sophia quickly continued, "I know it's going to make things complicated, but I think I want to tell her. I can't keep this in anymore. I've been in love with her since t&d."
Megan and Lara stayed quiet, their expressions unreadable as they processed what Sophia had just said.
Sophia's voice wavered. "Hello...? If you don't think it's a good idea, I won’t do it. I don't want to make things awkward or put you in a weird position."
Lara let out a soft laugh, reassuring her. "Sorry, we’re just a little shocked. No, Soph, we think it’s a great idea. We already knew you were in love with Dani—we just didn’t expect you to say it out loud like this."
"Yeah, we thought you'd realize your feelings but keep it to yourself for a while, maybe until it was too late to hold back." Megan added with a grin.
Sophia blinked. "Wait, you already knew?"
Megan shrugged, the smirk still on her lips. "You weren’t exactly hiding it very well."
"And we fully support you telling Dani," Lara chimed in, smiling warmly.
Sophia let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. "Okay, good. I’ll probably talk to Manon and Yoonchae before I do anything, just to get their thoughts too."
"I’m so happy for you, Soph," Lara said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Megan nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
"Any ideas on how you want to tell her?" Megan asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
Sophia's expression became uncertain. "No, that’s why I came here. I need help."
"Alright," Lara began, leaning in. "Do you want it to be romantic or more casual?"
Sophia hesitated. "I don’t know. I don’t even know if Dani feels the same. If I set up this big romantic dinner and she doesn’t feel the same... that’d be so awkward."
"Valid concern," Megan said thoughtfully. "How about something semi-romantic but still casual? That way, it’s low pressure, and if you’re not sure about her feelings, it won’t be too awkward."
Sophia nodded slowly. "Yeah, I like that. I could try hinting at it and see how she reacts. If I think she doesn’t feel the same, at least I’ll know, and it won’t be so awkward."
"Bowling!" Lara suggested, grinning. "She’s terrible at it, and we all know she’s super competitive. Perfect opportunity."
Megan’s eyes lit up. "Yes! Classic move. And it’s fun without being too serious."
Sophia’s face lit up with realization. "Yeah, that could work! It’s casual, low stress, and I don’t have to commit to telling her right away. I think this could actually work."
"Glad we could help!" Megan said, grinning from ear to ear.
Sophia glanced at the clock. "Shit, I still have to get ready. Thank you both. Seriously."
As she rushed out the door, Lara and Megan shared a look before breaking into excited grins.
"Oh my god, it’s finally happening!" Megan squealed, practically bouncing on the bed.
"I know! I’m so happy for them!" Lara said, her smile wide and filled with excitement.
It took a week until Sophia could manage to get Manon and Yoonchae alone in her room. "Hey, I wanted to talk to y'all about something," she said, looking nervous but determined.
"Ok," Manon responded with an encouraging smile, while Yoonchae raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm in love with Dani and want to tell her soon," Sophia continued slowly. "I just wanted to make sure it's alright with everyone before I do. I've already talked to Lara and Megan."
Manon’s grin instantly spread across her face, while Yoonchae’s more reserved demeanor couldn't completely hide her smile. "Aww, yay! I'm so happy for you, Soph. I'm more than alright with it," Manon said, her excitement evident.
"Yeah, this is great news," Yoonchae added with a warm smile. "All I want is for you to be happy."
Sophia let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. "Okay, good. I’m planning to ask her to go bowling tomorrow and hopefully, things will go my way."
"I think it’ll work out how it’s supposed to," Manon offered with a warm smile.
"Thanks, guys," Sophia said, her smile finally reaching her eyes. "I really appreciate the support."
Just then, Daniela walked past Sophia's bedroom door, catching the tail end of their conversation. "Oh, hey, what are y'all talking about?" she asked casually, but her tone hinted at curiosity.
"Oh, nothing. Just how well our comeback has been going," Manon replied a little too quickly.
Daniela raised an eyebrow but seemed satisfied. "Okay. Well, Manon, when you’re free, I really need to talk to you."
Manon looked at Sophia, silently asking if they were done. "I’m free now," she said, getting up. "We’ll talk about the comeback later."
After they left, Daniela led Manon back to their room. "I think I’m gonna tell Soph tomorrow," Daniela said with a mix of determination and anxiety. "I need to do it quickly before I change my mind."
"Oh, I’m so proud of you, Dani," Manon said with a grin. "Do you know how you’re gonna do it?"
"Not really," Daniela admitted. "Maybe I’ll buy some flowers and write a note... I don’t know. I’m not sure how to make it perfect."
"I think that’s a great idea," Manon said warmly. "Simple, but meaningful."
Daniela nodded, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Okay, I’ll have to buy them tomorrow. It’s too late to do it now."
"Sounds perfect. I’m so happy for you, Dani. I know you’re still scared, but you’re doing it anyway. That’s courage."
"I am still scared," Daniela confessed. "But I have to know. I can’t keep wondering if she feels the same. It’ll eat me alive."
"Believe me, it’s gonna work out how it should," Manon reassured her.
"I hope so," Daniela murmured, turning over and closing her eyes, the weight of the decision settling in.
Once she was sure Daniela had fallen asleep, Manon pulled out her phone and texted the group.
Manon: Dani says she wants to tell Soph tomorrow.
Lara: Oh, this’ll be interesting.
Megan: I wonder who’ll be the first to confess.
Yoonchae: I don’t care who it is as long as they do it. They’ve been pining for so long.
Manon: I agree. It’d be nice to see them happy together.
"Hey Dani, do you want to go bowling with me?" Sophia asked, her voice carrying the weight of her nerves.
"I was going to do something today, but it can wait," Daniela replied after a moment’s thought. "Yeah, I’ll go. Anyone else coming?"
Sophia hesitated. "I’ve only asked you, but if you want, we can invite the others?"
"No, just us is fine," Daniela said, relieved that Sophia hadn’t invited the others. It had been a while since they’d hung out just the two of them.
The bowling was fine, but as expected, Daniela lost. Sophia didn’t do the cliche bowling move she’d been tempted to, because she couldn’t get a read on Daniela’s feelings. She was too scared to make things awkward. Daniela, meanwhile, was a ball of nerves, constantly trying to find the perfect moment to confess. It consumed her, and she found herself lost in her own thoughts.
The car ride home was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. When they arrived back, the others were waiting, hoping for some sign that something had happened—but quickly realized nothing had.
Both Sophia and Daniela rushed to their rooms, frustrated. The others followed, not wanting to leave things hanging.
"Soph, are you okay?" Yoonchae asked softly, with Megan and Lara standing behind her, concerned.
"I couldn't do it," Sophia said, her frustration clear. "I got scared."
"It’s okay," Lara reassured her, moving closer. "I’m sure there will be another opportunity."
Sophia shook her head. "I don’t know if there will be. I couldn’t get a read on Dani. She just seemed lost in thought the whole time. There were a few jokes, but nothing different than usual. Maybe I should just give up." Her voice cracked with defeat.
The girls exchanged glances. They all knew Daniela felt the same, but it wasn’t their place to say that. They couldn’t reveal her feelings. They had to convince Sophia without crossing any lines.
"Are you sure?" Megan asked gently. "Maybe Dani’s just got a lot on her mind. That doesn’t mean you should give up."
"You’ve held this in for so long," Lara said, trying to lighten the mood. "What’s another week or so?"
Sophia sighed. "That’s just it. I’ve held out hope for years, but Dani’s never shown any indication that she likes me back. Maybe it’s time to move on." She paused, voice thick with emotion. "Can you all just leave? I think I need some time alone."
"Of course," Lara said, her tone soft. "Just know we’re here if you need anything."
"Do what feels right," Megan added. "We’ll support whatever you decide."
"We love you, Soph," Yoonchae said before softly closing the door behind her.
Meanwhile, in Manon and Daniela's room...
"Dani, what happened? Did you get the flowers?" Manon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I didn’t have time. Soph wanted to go bowling," Daniela explained, a frown tugging at her lips.
"How did it go?" Manon asked, sensing there was more to the story.
"It was fine," Daniela said with a sigh. "I spent most of it lost in thought, trying to figure out the best time to tell her. By the time the game was over, I was about to say something, but Soph looked frustrated. I didn’t want to make things worse. And in the car, it just felt too intimate—like if she rejected me, we’d be stuck in this awkward silence. But now, I’m thinking that was stupid. I should’ve just said something."
Manon smiled softly. "It’s not stupid to be scared, Dani. You’re doing the best you can."
"Still... I didn’t get the flowers, and now I feel like it’s not the right time. Soph’s upset, and I don’t know if telling her now is a good idea."
Manon was about to say something when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, reading the message from Lara: Sophia’s decided to give up. She’s not going to tell Dani. You NEED to get Dani to confess.
Manon’s expression shifted as she looked at Daniela. "You need to make the moment, Dani. There’s never going to be a perfect time. Go get the flowers. It’ll make her happy. And if you see the opening, take it."
Daniela nodded slowly, determination creeping into her features. "You’re right. There won’t be a perfect moment, and I have to stop waiting for it. I’m going to go get the flowers now." She stood up, feeling a newfound sense of motivation.
The hallway is silent, the sound of footsteps echoing in the quiet space as Daniela stands at Sophia's door, holding the bouquet of pink and purple flowers in her hands.
She knocks.
Sophia opens the door, surprised at the flowers in Daniela’s hands.
“Oh, hey, Dani. Are those... for me?” Sophia’s voice cracks a little, as if she’s already guessing what’s coming but doesn’t quite believe it.
“Uh, yeah,” Daniela stammers, shifting on her feet, her pulse quickening. She hesitates for a second, unsure if she should hand the flowers over immediately or say something first. “I... I noticed you seemed a little upset today, and, uh, I thought... these might help.”
Sophia takes the flowers, a soft, uncertain smile on her lips. “Thanks, Dani. That’s sweet of you.” She glances at the flowers and then back up at Daniela, still confused. “But... is that all? Just the flowers?”
Daniela’s heart is racing, the weight of the words she’s been holding onto for so long threatening to spill out all at once. She swallows hard, trying to steady herself. “No. That’s not all,” she says, her voice a little more confident than before, though still trembling with nerves. “There’s... something I’ve been wanting to tell you. Something I should’ve said a long time ago, but I... I’ve been scared. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to say it, but I’ve realized there’s never going to be a perfect moment, so I need to say it now before I lose the courage.”
Sophia’s eyes soften as she watches Daniela struggle to find the right words. “Dani... whatever it is, you don’t have to—"
“No,” Daniela interrupts, her breath shaky but determined. “I do. I’ve been holding this in for too long. I don’t want to regret it.”
Sophia, sensing the seriousness in Daniela’s voice, stands a little straighter, the playful smile fading into something more vulnerable. She nods, waiting for Daniela to continue.
“I... I’m in love with you, Sophia,” Daniela blurts out, her voice barely above a whisper. “I have been for a while now. And I can’t keep pretending I don’t feel this way.”
For a moment, everything is still. The world feels like it pauses, the weight of the confession hanging in the air between them.
Sophia blinks, her own breath catching in her chest. She looks at the flowers in her hands, then back up at Daniela, the realization dawning on her all at once. Her lips part, but no words come out at first. Then, with a quiet laugh, she shakes her head. “Oh my god, Dani,” she says softly, her heart pounding in her chest. “You have no idea... I’ve been in love with you since the moment we met. I just... I never thought you felt the same way. I was so scared.”
Daniela’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Really? You... you feel the same?” Her voice is full of hope now, the weight in her chest easing for the first time in what feels like forever.
Sophia nods, a smile breaking across her face. “Yes. I was going to tell you earlier, at bowling, but... I chickened out. I just didn’t want to make things awkward between us if you didn’t feel the same.”
Daniela laughs, the sound nervous but relieved. “I was going to tell you, too! But... then I got so caught up in trying to find the perfect moment, I didn’t say anything.”
Sophia’s grin widens, and she steps closer, closing the gap between them. “Maybe we’re both just a little too good at overthinking.”
“Maybe,” Daniela says, her eyes glinting with a mixture of relief and affection. “But... I’m really glad we’re on the same page now.”
Sophia gently sets the flowers on the nearby table and looks up at Daniela, her heart fluttering. “I’m so glad you told me. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, I didn’t think it would ever happen. But now that it has...” She trails off, her gaze softening.
“I think I’m ready to be with you, Soph,” Daniela says, her voice steady now, the nerves still there but manageable. “I just... I needed to know you felt the same.”
Sophia steps closer, reaching out to take Daniela’s hand, her thumb brushing over the back of her hand, grounding them both in the moment. “I’ve always felt the same, Dani. Always.”
Downstairs, the rest of the girls were sprawled out on the couch, half-watching TV and half-waiting for Sophia and Daniela to come down. When they finally did, both with wide grins, Sophia couldn’t resist speaking first.
“So, we have some news. Dani and I are together,” she said, beaming.
“Yes! I win!” Megan exclaimed, raising her arms in victory.
“Ugh, I was a week away,” Yoonchae pouted, crossing her arms.
“Win? Win what?” Daniela asked, confused.
“We may or may not have bet on how long it would take for you two to figure it out,” Megan admitted sheepishly.
“Seriously?” Sophia said, raising an eyebrow. “You bet on our love life?”
“Well, yeah. To be fair, this has been a long time coming. We’ve been watching you two be oblivious for years,” Manon said with a grin.
“We’re happy for you, is what we’re saying,” Lara added, a soft smile on her face.
“Yes, we’re so happy that you’re happy,” Manon echoed.
“It’s all we’ve ever wanted for you,” Megan smiled.
“Yeah, I’m just happy I won’t have to see you two pining after each other anymore,” Yoonchae smirked, though her eyes were full of warmth. “No, but seriously, I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Thank you,” Sophia said, her voice full of gratitude. She shook her head. “I still can’t believe you bet on our love life.”
The rest of the girls shrugged, looking almost proudly unapologetic.
As they settled in to watch a movie, Manon suddenly leaned forward, her curiosity bubbling over.
“So, who confessed first?” she asked eagerly.
“Me,” Daniela said, her voice full of pride.
“Yes!” Manon cheered, throwing her arms in the air.
“Fuck!” Megan pouted, crossing her arms in disappointment.
“Nooo,” Lara groaned.
“Seriously?” Yoonchae said, pretending to be annoyed. But a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.