Everyone’s heard of the red string—the invisible thread that connects you to your soulmate, the person you are destined to be with. But this string doesn’t reveal itself immediately. It remains hidden until you feel love, until you understand what that love truly means. Even then, if only one person realizes it, the string only appears halfway, waiting for the other to catch up.
Destiny, however, is not a cage. Just because you are meant to be together doesn’t mean you are forced into love. That’s why the string only fully reveals itself when both souls recognize their connection. It may flicker faintly when feelings begin to bloom, but only if you’re really searching for it. Even then, it could be mistaken for a trick of the light.
Most people don’t find their soulmate until their late teens or adulthood. Childhood and adolescence are for growth—for making mistakes, for learning what love truly is. It’s not that kids don’t understand love, but it takes time to grasp the difference between loving someone and being in love.
Some meet their soulmate early, others much later in life. For some, the search is a thrill—a dream they chase, trying every possible way to find the person waiting on the other end of the string. Others let fate take its course, content to live their lives until the moment arrives.
Megan and Daniela fell into the latter category. They weren’t searching, weren’t preoccupied with when or where they’d meet their soulmates. Right now, they had bigger things to focus on—competing for a spot in Katseye, the next global girl group. Love could wait.
Or so they thought.
Because life has a way of surprising you. And sometimes, when you least expect it, fate comes crashing into you—whether you’re ready or not.
The first time, it was an accident—a reflex born out of nervous energy. A fleeting moment before their first interview, Megan reached out without thinking.
This was it. Their first introduction to the world. The first time Megan, Daniela, and all the Dream Academy contestants would truly showcase themselves beyond performances. Their chance to make an impression, to connect with fans. Megan knew she had to stand out—because if she didn’t, there was no way she’d make it into Katseye.
Standing offstage, waiting for their cue, Megan was so lost in her thoughts she barely noticed the warmth of another hand in hers. It wasn’t until she felt a gentle squeeze that she looked down, realizing she had instinctively grabbed Daniela’s hand.
Blushing, she muttered, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” and started to pull away—but Daniela didn’t let go.
“It’s okay.” Daniela smiled, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’m nervous too. This is helping ground me.”
That wasn’t entirely true. Daniela wasn’t really nervous—she felt confident in her ability to charm the crowd. But she had noticed how tense Megan was, how she looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. Like she wanted to run. Hide. Disappear.
So even if Megan hadn’t meant to reach for her, Daniela would hold her hand as long as she needed to. Even if Megan’s grip was a little tight.
“Now introducing the contestants of Dream Academy!” the host announced.
Daniela gave Megan’s hand one last squeeze before letting go. They had to walk on in a specific order—holding hands wasn’t an option.
Throughout the interview, Daniela stole quick, discreet glances at Megan. Outwardly, she looked composed—answering confidently, sitting tall—but Daniela could see it in her eyes. The flicker of uncertainty. The quiet fear she was trying so hard to mask.
So Daniela did the only thing she could. She smiled at Megan whenever their eyes met, hoping to send an unspoken message. You’re doing great. The crowd loves you. Your answers are perfect.
And when they finally stepped off stage, Daniela turned to her immediately.
“You did great up there, Meg. The audience definitely fell more in love.”
Megan hesitated. “Really? I feel like it didn’t go well.”
Daniela held her gaze, making sure she believed it. “Yes, Megan. They loved you. I mean, how could they not?”
She said it without thinking, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Megan’s cheeks flushed. “Thanks, Dani.”
From that day on, whenever Megan felt anxious, she’d reach for Daniela’s hand like a lifeline. And Daniela would always let her, gently stroking the back of her hand, even though her hand ached afterward. But if it helped ground Megan—helped soothe her—then Daniela would endure it without complaint.
The days leading up to the live show were the most stressful yet. The house, once filled with laughter and playful teasing, had turned quiet and tense. Reality was sinking in. This could be the last time they all saw each other. Sure, they could call and text, but it wouldn’t be the same as waking up to the same faces, training side by side, pushing each other to be better. Each rehearsal was intense, no nonsense. The girls could see their dream within reach, and no one was willing to let it slip away.
By 5 p.m., Daniela and Megan had wrapped up team rehearsals, but Megan wasn’t making any moves to leave. Daniela wasn’t surprised—she knew how much of a perfectionist Megan was.
“Hey, you staying much longer?” Daniela asked.
“Oh, um… yeah,” Megan said sheepishly. “I just wanna go over the routines a few more times. Maybe do some freestyle after.”
“Mind if I stay?” Daniela asked, not wanting Megan to be alone.
“You don’t have to. You’re probably tired,” Megan said, clearly catching on to Daniela’s real reason for staying.
“Maybe a little, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep much tonight. I’m too nervous,” Daniela admitted with a small smile. “Besides, dancing always helps calm me.”
Megan hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay… only if you’re sure.”
“I am.” Daniela’s voice was firm but gentle.
They fell into an easy rhythm, running through the routines in silence. They didn’t need words right now—just movement, just music. Dancing was their way of pushing through the nerves, of reassuring themselves that they were ready.
After a while, Daniela finally spoke. “So… how are you feeling about tomorrow?”
“Nervous,” Megan admitted. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
“Me neither,” Daniela sighed. “It could go any way. Everyone’s so talented. The fans have a tough choice.”
“Yeah, I just…” Megan hesitated, shifting on her feet. “I don’t know if I’m gonna make it.”
Daniela’s heart clenched. Megan was one of the most talented people she knew—it hurt to hear her doubt herself.
“You’re gonna make it,” Daniela said firmly. “Do you know how I know?”
Megan shook her head lightly.
“Because everyone would be an idiot not to vote you in.” Daniela’s voice was full of conviction. “You’re an incredible dancer. Your voice is amazing. Your stage presence has improved so much. You’ve got the visuals. And, on top of all that, you’re one of the kindest, silliest people I know. Megan, you’re the whole package. They’d be stupid not to put you in Katseye. If they don’t… well, I might actually have to riot.”
Megan’s cheeks tinged pink, but she smiled. “Thanks, Dani. I needed to hear that.”
“And you’re gonna make it too,” Megan added. “Everything you just said about me? The same applies to you. You are the whole package.”
Daniela glanced at her phone—8:23 p.m. Her stomach grumbled in protest. “Okay, so I know I haven’t eaten yet, which means you definitely haven’t either. What do you say we grab some food?”
“That sounds perfect,” Megan said with a relieved smile.
As they walked to Daniela’s car, the conversation flowed easily—teasing, joking, filling the night air with a sense of normalcy.
When they reached Megan’s apartment, Daniela stopped her before she could get out. “You’ll make it. We both will.”
Megan held Daniela’s gaze for a moment before nodding. Then she slipped inside.
Daniela believed, without a doubt, that Megan would make it. But herself? She wasn’t so sure.
That night, sleep didn’t come easily. Not for Daniela. Not for Megan. Not for anyone in the house.
Tomorrow held their dreams in its hands. And none of them knew what the outcome would be.
That morning, the house was in chaos. Girls rushed around, frantically double-checking their bags, fixing last-minute details, making sure they had everything before heading to the venue. Nerves buzzed in the air, unspoken but palpable.
Daniela sat in the makeup chair, her stomach in knots. This was it—the moment that could make or break her. She needed this. They all did. This was what they had worked for, dreamed of.
As she stared at her reflection, trying to steady her breathing, she spotted Megan walking in.
“Hey, how are you?” Daniela asked, knowing full well her makeup artist would struggle with her talking, but by now, they were all used to it—used to the girls chatting away while they worked.
“Nervous,” Megan admitted, standing behind her. “But I’ve kind of just accepted that whatever happens today… I’ll be happy. Happy that I made it this far. That I proved to myself I could do it.”
Daniela studied her through the mirror, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’m glad you feel that way. But you will make it.” Her voice carried certainty, as if saying it made it fact.
Megan exhaled softly. “I hope so. But I know that, no matter what, whoever makes it deserves it.”
Daniela smiled wider—not just because of Megan’s words, but because of Megan herself. She’d grown so much. Matured. She was kind, grounded. No matter what happened today, Daniela was proud of her.
“Okay, Dani, you’re done. Go get your outfit on,” the makeup artist announced, shooing her away.
Megan’s turn.
“I’ll see you later,” Daniela said, squeezing Megan’s shoulder before walking out the door.
Later, when they were waiting backstage for the final lineup announcement, Megan reached for Daniela’s hand. She squeezed tightly, grounding herself in the familiar warmth. Daniela squeezed back. They didn’t need words. This was it. The moment they’d spent years preparing for.
But onstage, they weren’t standing next to each other. Megan wished they were—she needed Daniela’s presence now more than ever. Especially as half of Katseye had already been announced. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Then—
“From the USA… Megan.”
Relief crashed over her. She barely registered the sound of the crowd as she ran to join Sophia, Lara, and Yoonchae.
Daniela exhaled, heart pounding. She had known Megan would make it, but hearing it confirmed was still a weight off her shoulders. A small victory in the midst of her own nerves. But now—now there were only two spots left.
Megan stood beside her new members, happiness swirling with anxiety. She had no doubt Daniela deserved a place in Katseye. But that didn’t make the waiting any easier.
“From the USA…” The host’s pause felt eternal.
Please say Dani, Megan thought desperately.
“Daniela.”
Daniela felt her legs move before she could even process it, a small push from Manon sending her forward. She barely noticed anything else—only Megan, standing there waiting for her.
And when she reached her, Megan grabbed her hand again, this time not out of nerves—
But out of sheer joy.
Backstage, the energy buzzed with excitement. The girls had a brief moment to themselves before heading off for photos and meeting their friends and families.
Megan was making her way toward Daniela when she spotted Manon speaking to her, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Thank you for being there for me. Literally the whole journey,” Manon said, voice thick with emotion.
Daniela pulled her into a tight hug. “Always.”
Megan hesitated, not wanting to interrupt their moment. But when Manon stepped back, dabbing at her eyes with a small laugh, Megan took her chance.
“Well, I was gonna say the exact same thing,” she teased, “but Manon beat me to it.”
“Sorry, you gotta be faster next time,” Manon shot back with a smirk.
“Oh, I will,” Megan said, matching her grin. Then, softer, she added, “But honestly, you said it better than I could have.”
Manon smiled, nudging Megan’s arm before glancing across the room. “I’m gonna go talk to Soph and Yoonchip.” With that, she walked off, leaving Megan and Daniela alone.
Megan turned back to Daniela, her smile widening. “We did it.”
Daniela let out a breathless laugh. “Yeah. We did.”
A beat of silence passed, both of them just soaking it in. Then, with a teasing smirk, Daniela added, “Guess that means I don’t have to start a riot.”
Megan burst into laughter. “No, you don’t.”
Daniela extended her hand, and Megan took it instantly, fingers curling around hers like second nature.
“Come on, let’s join the others before we get thrown into the chaos,” Daniela said, tugging her along.
As they approached the rest of the group, Daniela suddenly threw her free hand in the air. “We did it! We’re gonna be famous!” she shouted.
The girls erupted into cheers, excitement bubbling over as they celebrated together—because this was just the beginning.
Megan wasn’t looking for the string when she first saw it.
It was unmistakable in the dim lighting of the practice room—a thin red thread stretching from her chest, reaching out into the space between her and Daniela. But it stopped halfway.
Her breath caught.
She had seen it before, a flicker in the corner of her eye, a trick of the light when her mind wandered too far into dangerous territory—when she spent too long watching the way Daniela’s smile came easy, or how she threw her head back when she laughed. But those moments had been fleeting, the string barely there, fragile and uncertain.
Now, it was real. Deep, vivid, undeniable.
But it only reached halfway.
Megan knew what that meant. She had felt it in the way her heart stuttered when Daniela walked into a room, in the way she caught herself memorizing the small things—how Daniela hummed under her breath when she was focused, how her nose scrunched slightly before she teased someone, how her voice softened when she was genuinely worried.
But Daniela hadn’t realized it yet.
Megan curled her fingers into fists, forcing herself to look away. But the proof was right there—an unshakable confirmation of what she had already begun to understand.
That Daniela was meant for her.
That someday, somehow, they were meant to reach each other completely.
But not yet.
The next few days were hard on Megan.
She was trying to process it all—the confirmation that Daniela was her soulmate, the fact that she had no idea how long it would take for Daniela to realize it, the realization that she was in love with Daniela. That last part wasn’t exactly surprising, but it still hit her with the weight of something undeniable. Something she had to sit with.
And of course, Lara noticed.
She noticed the way Megan was lost in her own head more than usual, how her expression flickered between happiness and sadness when she looked at Daniela. The way she seemed to retreat into herself, closing off in that quiet, subtle way she always did when something was bothering her.
It was small, barely noticeable. But Lara had always been good at noticing the small things.
So when she saw Megan sitting in her bed one night, lost in thought, completely elsewhere, she decided to ask.
"Hey, Meg?" Lara said softly.
"Hm?" Megan hummed, not really looking up.
"Are you okay? I've noticed you've been..." Lara hesitated, searching for the right words. "Lost in thought? A little sad?"
Megan blinked, as if pulled from a fog. "Oh, um. Yeah. Just… a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?"
Megan exhaled slowly, considering. "Yeah. I think that'd help. I just don’t know where to start."
"How about from the beginning?" Lara suggested, her voice gentle.
Megan hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "I think it started during Dream Academy. Dani and I started getting closer. I went to her for advice, for comfort… for anything, really. And as we got closer, I started feeling more." She swallowed, voice quieter now. "And the other day during rehearsal, I saw it."
Lara didn’t need to ask what "it" was. She already knew.
Megan continued, her voice thick with emotion. "I saw the string. It leads to Dani, but it only reaches halfway." She let out a shaky breath. "I've been trying to process it these past few days. The fact that Dani's my soulmate. That I'm in love with her. That she isn't yet. It’s just… a lot."
Lara let the silence settle, giving Megan space to breathe before she spoke.
"Yeah. That is a lot." She leaned back against the pillows, thoughtful. "And I won’t lie to you—it’ll be hard waiting for her to realize. But you have to remember that she will one day. You and her are destined to be together. And when it happens, there won’t be anything stopping you. It’s going to be a love story for the ages."
Megan let out a breath that was almost a laugh, but there was exhaustion in it too. "I know. It’s just hard right now. Can we not talk about it anymore? I’m too tired to think."
"Of course," Lara said easily. She grabbed her laptop and pulled up D.E.B.S. "We can just watch something."
Megan smiled, touched. "Thanks, Lara."
"Always." Lara patted the spot next to her. "Now, come here. You can’t watch D.E.B.S. if you’re all the way over there."
Megan didn’t hesitate before climbing onto the bed, settling beside her. They watched in quiet companionship, the glow of the screen casting soft shadows across the room. Lara didn’t say anything else—she didn’t need to. She was simply there, offering her quiet support, letting Megan escape her thoughts for a little while.
And for now, that was enough.
Weeks passed. Megan watched and waited, biting back the words she wanted to say, swallowing feelings that threatened to spill over. As much as she wished she could, she couldn't speed up the process. Daniela had to realize it on her own, in her own time. A confession wouldn't mean anything if Daniela didn’t understand her own feelings first.
So Megan smiled and laughed and pretended it didn’t hurt when Daniela talked about casual crushes and dates.
"Yeah, I have that date later today," Daniela said, walking into the studio with Manon.
"Are you excited?" Manon asked.
Daniela hesitated. "I mean, I guess? I don’t know. It’s been forever since I actually went on a date. I haven't even had a real conversation with them yet, so I have no idea how it's gonna go."
"I'm sure it'll be fine. Either way, it'll be a good dinner," Manon shrugged with a grin.
"Yeah, they asked me where I wanted to go, but I have no clue."
Megan hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. But they were standing right in front of her, and it was impossible not to hear.
Then suddenly—"Meg, where do you think would be a good date spot?" Daniela turned to her, eyes expectant.
Megan froze. Why is she asking me?
"Oh, um… what vibe are you going for?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
"Hm. Casual?" Daniela mused.
"Sushi?" Megan suggested. "You said you were craving it recently."
Daniela’s face lit up. "Ooh, you are brilliant, Meg. Two birds, one stone. Perfect."
Megan forced a smile. "Yeah. No problem."
"Hey, Meg," Lara cut in suddenly. "You said you’d teach me that dance before rehearsals."
Megan glanced at her, seeing the knowing look in Lara’s eyes. Just go with it.
"Right. Yeah, of course."
Before Daniela could say anything else, Lara tugged Megan to the other side of the room.
Daniela frowned. "That was weird, right?"
"Nope," Manon said, entirely unconvincing.
Daniela narrowed her eyes but let it go.
Rehearsals started, and Megan threw herself into the dancing harder than usual.
She always used movement as an escape, as a way to process emotions too big to contain. But today—today was different. Her body moved like she was chasing something, like she was trying to outrun the ache sitting heavy in her chest. The girls noticed, exchanging glances, but there wasn’t time to say anything.
Lara just offered her a small, quiet smile.
It helped, but it didn’t fix the hurt.
Finally, around 5 PM, rehearsals wrapped up. Daniela took the chance to approach Megan.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, brows furrowed.
"Yeah, I’m good. It’s nothing," Megan replied, voice too quick, too clipped.
Daniela didn’t buy it, but she didn’t push. "Okay."
Megan turned to the stereo, plugging in her phone.
"Are you staying?" Daniela asked.
"Yeah. Just wanna do some freestyle. You know, dance for fun."
"Oh, can I join?"
Megan hesitated. "Dani, you’ve gotta get ready for your date."
Daniela blinked, looking at the time. "Shit."
Megan crossed her arms. "Go. I'll be fine on my own."
"Fine, but promise me you won’t push yourself too hard."
"You know me," Megan deadpanned.
"Exactly. Which is why I’m making you promise."
Megan sighed. "Don’t worry, I won’t stay long." Then, smirking, "Now go. You need to shower. You stink."
"Hey!" Daniela pouted. "If I had more time, I’d fight you right now."
"Luckily, you don’t," Megan teased back.
Daniela left, laughing, and as soon as the door clicked shut—Megan’s unshed tears finally fell.
From the side of the room, Lara stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Megan in a tight, wordless hug.
They didn’t say anything.
Megan just let herself be held.
When the tears slowed, she pulled away, wiped at her face, and turned the music up.
Then, she danced.
Lara stayed, watching—half in awe, half in quiet concern. Megan moved like she was trying to rid herself of something, like she was burning off a feeling too big to carry. Song after song played, and she didn’t stop.
By the tenth routine, Lara sighed.
"I have to head out—family dinner," she said gently.
Megan nodded. "I’ll see you later."
Lara hesitated, then squeezed Megan’s shoulder before leaving.
Megan didn’t stop dancing until exhaustion finally forced her to.
By the time she got home, it was 7 PM.
She took a long, hot shower. Then she made dinner, something simple, something to keep her hands busy.
"Hey, Yoonchip," she said, poking her head into Yoonchae’s room.
Yoonchae was curled up on her bed, scrolling through her phone.
"Wanna play some video games before bed?" Megan asked.
If Yoonchae noticed her red-rimmed eyes, she didn’t mention it. "Of course. What do you wanna play?"
"Dress to Impress?"
Yoonchae smiled. "Sounds perfect."
They played for hours, switching between different games, teasing and laughing like nothing was wrong. It helped. It kept Megan’s mind off where Daniela was, what she was doing, who she was with.
And when Daniela finally came home around 9 PM, her voice drifting up from the kitchen as she talked to Sophia and Manon—Megan and Yoonchae stayed exactly where they were.
Megan didn’t want to hear about the date.
She couldn’t.
So she didn’t.
She just kept playing, kept laughing with Yoonchae, as if none of it mattered. As if her heart wasn’t breaking.
It started off small, imperceptible to someone who didn't pay attention to Megan’s every move. But Daniela noticed.
It was the way Megan hugged the others differently—more affectionately—than her. The way she curled up next to them on the couch without a second thought. The way she had inside jokes with all of them. The way she was always laughing around them.
The way she playfully flirted with Lara.
The way Megan seemed to be getting closer to everyone except her.
Daniela felt like Megan was slipping through her fingers, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Manon, can I ask you something?" Daniela asked one quiet evening.
"Sure," Manon replied with a shrug.
Daniela hesitated. Am I overthinking this? Am I being ridiculous?
But the thought had been weighing on her for weeks, and she needed to say it out loud.
"Do you think Megan acts differently around me?"
Manon froze.
Because of course she had noticed.
It wasn’t hard to put together—the way Megan’s gaze lingered on Daniela when she thought no one was looking. The way her expression tightened every time Daniela mentioned someone else. The way her eyes sometimes traced the air absentmindedly, only for her face to fall, disappointment flickering before she schooled her features.
Megan had never told her directly. But Manon knew.
So did Sophia. And Yoonchae.
They had all silently agreed not to bring it up—not until Megan was ready to talk about it. It was why, when Megan showed up at their doors looking sad, they never questioned it. Megan went to Lara when she needed to rant, Sophia when she needed comfort, Manon when she needed a distraction, and Yoonchae when she just wanted to turn her brain off with video games.
They each gave her what she needed. No questions asked.
So when Daniela asked, Manon chose her words carefully. "What do you mean?"
Daniela exhaled sharply, frustration evident in the furrow of her brows. "I don’t know… I just feel like she’s pulling away from me. But not from any of you."
"What makes you think that?"
"It’s in the small things. Like how she hugs me differently compared to you. Or how she naturally curls up next to you guys, but not me. Or how we don’t hang out outside of rehearsals and the house anymore. She's always doing things with you all. Last night, you and her went out for froyo—where was my invite?" Daniela frowned. "And then there are the inside jokes. You all seem to have them, but I’m not part of them. It’s like… she’s creating distance on purpose."
Manon blinked. Wow.
She hadn’t realized just how much Daniela had noticed—how closely she had been keeping track. These were details so subtle, Manon hadn’t even thought twice about them.
"I don’t think Megan is purposely trying to exclude you," she said carefully, though now, hearing it all laid out, it was obvious what Megan was doing. "I think… I think you should talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Why it bothers you." Then, after a beat—"Why does it bother you so much? I mean… you’ve been noticing this for weeks, right?"
Daniela opened her mouth, then hesitated.
"I don’t know," she admitted. "I guess… because I used to be the person Megan came to. When she was happy, sad, anxious—anything. She’d walk into the studio, and I could tell how she was feeling just from her clothes."
She swallowed, voice quieter now. "Lately, she’s been wearing her ‘I’m sad’ clothes. And usually, she’d tell me what’s wrong. But now, when I ask, she just says it’s nothing."
Daniela paused. "And then the next morning, I see her with puffy eyes."
Her fingers curled into the blanket draped over her lap. "I just… I’m frustrated that I can’t help her. That she won’t let me."
Manon’s expression softened. "I can’t tell you what’s bothering her. That’s up to her."
Then, gently—"But just know that she’s not alone. The rest of us are looking out for her."
Daniela stilled.
"So you do know what’s wrong," she said, eyes narrowing.
Manon’s lips parted—then she suddenly perked up, eyes darting to the door.
"Oh! Do you hear that?" she said, cupping her ear. "Soph? You need to talk to me? I’m coming!"
And then she bolted.
Daniela sat there, blinking. Did she seriously think that would work?
"Manon, you do realize you have to come back eventually, right?" she called after her, shaking her head.
Sophia wasn’t even home.
That night, Daniela went to bed with a heavy heart.
Because now, she had confirmation that something was wrong. That Megan was hurting. And that she was the only one Megan wasn’t going to for help.
And that, more than anything, terrified her.
Because if Megan was shutting her out…
That meant Daniela was losing her.
And she didn’t know how to stop it.
The next morning, Daniela decides she’s going to force Megan to hang out with her.
Okay, maybe force is a strong word.
But if it comes down to it, she is not above getting on her knees and literally begging.
She gets ready quickly, barely running a brush through her hair before making her way to Megan’s door. She knocks twice, shifting on her feet as she waits.
When the door finally swings open, it’s not Megan standing there.
"Oh, hey, Dani," Lara says, blinking in surprise.
"Uh, hey… What are you doing here?" Daniela asks.
"I live here?" Lara deadpans, before shaking her head. "What’s up?"
"I was gonna ask Megan to hang out," Daniela says.
Lara’s reaction is immediate—too immediate.
"Oh." Lara glances over her shoulder, eyes flicking toward Megan’s side of the room. "Um, well… she’s in the shower, so I’ll let her know you stopped by. She should be out soon."
Daniela frowns. "I don’t hear the shower running."
Lara’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second before she recovers. "She must have just gotten out," she says, tone just a little too breezy. "Just wait out here."
Then, before Daniela can call her out on it, Lara practically slams the door shut.
From the other side, Daniela can hear hushed voices. She crosses her arms. Yeah, something’s definitely up.
Inside the room, Megan is on her feet in an instant.
"What do you mean Dani’s here?" she asks, panicked.
"Girl, I don’t know!" Lara says, hands raised in surrender. "She just said she wanted to hang out."
Megan groans, running a hand down her face. "I can’t hang out with her right now. It’s too hard."
Lara’s face softens. "I know. And I’m sorry."
There’s a pause before she sighs. "But you can’t avoid her forever. Yeah, I noticed. I don’t think the others have yet, but Dani definitely has. It’s better to just face it head-on."
Megan flops back down on her bed with a pout. "But I don’t wanna."
Lara just stares at her.
Megan groans again. "Fine, you’re right." She sits back up, defeated. "I’ll hang out with her. But what do I do if she starts talking about someone else?"
"Steer the conversation elsewhere?" Lara suggests.
Megan nods, taking a deep breath before standing. "Okay."
Lara shoots her a double thumbs-up as she heads for the door.
When Megan opens it, Daniela immediately notices two things
1. Megan’s hair is bone dry.
2. She definitely did not just get out of the shower.
Megan smiles sheepishly. "Hey, Dani. I heard you wanted to talk to me."
Daniela arches a brow but doesn’t call her out. Yet.
"Yeah, I wanted to ask if you wanted to hang out," she says.
Megan hesitates for a split second before nodding. "Oh, um… yeah. That sounds nice. Did you have anything in mind?"
Daniela winces. "I didn’t plan that far ahead."
Megan huffs a small laugh.
"Uh, wanna go to the arcade?" Daniela suggests. Daniela figures it’d be fun. Loosen things up a bit. Plus, she knows how much Megan loves a good competition.
Megan’s lips twitch. "Okay, yeah. That sounds fun."
"Great! I’ll let you get dressed," Daniela says, glancing at Megan’s silk pajama set.
Megan follows her gaze and groans, rubbing her forehead. "Right."
Daniela doesn’t miss the way Megan avoids looking her in the eye. Or the way her fingers fidget at her sides.
And she definitely doesn’t miss the fact that Lara blatantly lied to her.
But she lets it go—for now.
When Megan gets downstairs, Daniela is already at the counter, sliding over a plate of toast.
"Here."
"Oh, thanks," Megan says, surprised.
"Yeah, no problem. I know you haven’t eaten yet." Daniela shrugs like it’s nothing.
Megan blinks down at the plate. The toast is golden-brown, lightly buttered—exactly how she likes it.
She eats quickly, eager to get to the arcade.
"Ready?" she asks, placing the plate in the dishwasher.
Daniela grabs her car keys. "Yeah, let’s go."
Megan raises a brow, a teasing smirk forming. "Do you not trust me to drive?" She points at the keys in Daniela’s hand, hoping to ease some of the lingering tension.
Daniela immediately freezes. "I, uh—"
Megan snickers. "Relax, I’m just teasing."
Daniela huffs, rolling her eyes. "For the record, I do trust your driving. You just drive a little fast."
"I haven’t gotten a ticket—unlike someone." Megan grins.
"Okay, that was one time!" Daniela defends.
Megan smirks as she climbs into the car, already queuing up music. "Gas pedal like ’95, flying eastbound, hands up, no slowing me down—" she sings, flashing Daniela a knowing look.
Daniela groans. "It was one time!"
Megan just smirks wider, scrolling through Daniela’s playlist like she owns the place.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Sophia, Manon, Lara, and Yoonchae are all sprawled on the couch, watching the entire exchange from the window.
"Do you think Dani will realize anytime soon?" Yoonchae asks, eyes still on the car.
Manon exhales. "I don’t know, to be honest. I think she’s getting close, though. Yesterday, she was all sad about Megan pulling away."
"Oohhh, that explains the sudden need to hang out with Megan,"* Lara says in realization.
"Yeah," Manon nods. "I think Dani’s trying to reconnect because she feels like she’s losing her."
Sophia frowns. "I hope it works. I hate seeing Megan like this."
"Yeah, this past week’s been rough on her," Lara adds. "I mean, Dani went on that date a few days ago. It was an epic fail, but still."
"Yeah, I stayed up all night playing video games for her," Yoonchae says.
Sophia smirks. "Right. For Megan—and not because you wanted to stay up late."
"What? Both can be true." Yoonchae shrugs. "I was helping Megan. And if I just so happened to stay up late, oh well."
The girls shake their heads in amusement. Then, Lara sighs, her expression turning serious.
"Anyway, let’s hope Dani figures it out soon. I don’t know how much longer Megan can hold out before she completely shuts down. And when that happens, she won’t let any of us help. Last time was bad enough, but at least Dani could pull her out of it. But she won't this time, not without the string reaching fully."
There’s a heavy pause.
None of them have said it before—but they all know.
The thread is there, invisible but unbreakable, tying Megan and Daniela together.
It’s the first time any of them have said it out loud.
Megan and Daniela are soulmates.
Sophia exhales, breaking the silence. "Let’s watch a movie. We can’t do anything else but wait."
"Ooh, can we rewatch Alice in Borderland?" Yoonchae asks excitedly.
Sophia smiles, already queuing it up. "Of course."
When they arrive at the arcade, there’s still a lingering tension—mostly from Megan’s side. She shoves her hands into her pockets, shifting on her feet. "So, where do you wanna start?"
Daniela considers for a second. "Uh… air hockey?" She figures the competition might help Megan loosen up.
Megan smirks, eyes flashing with confidence. "Sure. But be prepared to lose."
And Daniela does lose. Badly.
Usually, she’d put up a good fight, but she’s… distracted. By Megan. By the way her eyes sparkle every time she scores a point, the way her dimples pop when she grins, the way she bounces on her feet in excitement.
And honestly? Daniela doesn’t even care that she’s losing.
By the time they move on to other games, the tension between them has melted away. Megan grows more competitive with each round, and Daniela continues to lose every single one. But watching Megan beam with joy? Totally worth it.
They’re about an hour into their “hangout” (it's 100% a date, even if they don’t realize it) when Megan hesitates before asking, "So… how’d the date go?"
She doesn’t really want to know. But she needs to. Needs to know how much longer she'll be waiting.
Daniela groans. "Ugh. It was a disaster." She rolls her eyes. "They talked about themselves for three fucking hours. I would've left after the first hour, but I didn’t wanna be rude. At least the food was good. Good suggestion on the sushi, by the way."
Megan barely holds back a smile. "Oh. I’m sorry." (She’s totally not sorry.)
Daniela waves it off. "Nah, it’s fine. I think I’m done dating for now. I need to be focusing on us."
Megan’s breath catches. "Us?" Her eyes go wide.
Daniela nods casually. "Yeah. Us. As in Katseye. Our comeback."
"Right. Yeah." Megan swallows, hoping Daniela doesn’t notice the way her face falls for a fraction of a second. "I’m excited. I can’t wait until we can finally share our new music."
Daniela grins. "I know. I can’t wait for this new era. And when we don’t have to wear those stupid wigs anymore. Like, I get why we had to, but the Eyekons already know we changed our hair. I don’t get all the secrecy."
Megan laughs. "Yeah, the wigs are annoying, but I think Lara and Manon are having fun trolling the fans. I swear I heard Lara giggling to herself when she was talking to them after that livestream with David."
"Oh yeah, those two are definitely having too much fun." Daniela chuckles.
For a moment, they fall into a comfortable silence—until Daniela’s gaze lands on the motorcycle racing game. Her lips curl into a smile. "Remember when we did that photoshoot on these?"
Megan flushes instantly. She definitely remembers. The way Daniela was practically pressed up against her, the way her arms had caged Megan in as they posed for the camera.
"Yeah," she murmurs, cheeks warm. "Those were… different times. We had no idea what kind of journey we were in for."
Daniela hums. "Yeah. A lot has changed since then, but at the same time… not really." She turns to Megan, sincerity softening her features. "You’re still my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without you."
Megan’s heart stumbles in her chest.
She doesn’t know what to say to that.
Instead, she blurts out, "I bet I could beat you." Then she quickly hops onto one of the motorcycles.
Daniela huffs a laugh. "Oh, I’m sure you will. But I’m willing to try." She slides onto the one beside her, and just like that, the moment passes.
But Megan’s heart is still racing. And it has nothing to do with the game.
Over the next few weeks, Daniela refuses to let Megan slip away. Every day, she finds an excuse—lunch, late-night drives, dance battles. Megan pushes back at first, but not too hard. She never really could say no to Daniela. And, if she’s honest, she likes having Daniela’s undivided attention.
One night, as Daniela gets ready for bed, Manon speaks up.
"You’ve been spending a lot of time with Megan lately."
Daniela shrugs. "Yeah."
"Any reason why?" Manon presses, her voice teasing. "I mean, you’ve practically been begging her to hang out every day."
"I have not been begging." Daniela scoffs.
Manon smirks. "Oh, really? Because yesterday, when you asked her to dinner and she was about to say no, I swear you were about to drop to your knees and beg."
Daniela pouts. "That is not how that happened."
"I’m just saying what it looked like." Manon raises her hands in surrender, grinning.
Daniela crosses her arms. "Is it so bad to want to hang out with my friend?"
"No, but there’s hanging out like we do, and then there’s… whatever you’re doing with Megan."
Daniela frowns. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Dani." Manon gives her a knowing look. "You’ve been attached to her hip since the arcade. You’re following her around like a lost puppy."
Daniela opens her mouth to argue, but then she pauses. Has she?
"Okay… maybe. But so what?"
Manon sighs. "I just think you need to do some introspection. I mean, I’m your favorite person here, and you don’t even wanna spend that much time with me."
Daniela tilts her head. "Wait… is this about you being jealous?"
"Oh my god, no." Manon laughs. "I love you, but we already spend plenty of time together. Some separation is good for us. I just think you should ask yourself why you want to spend so much time with Megan and not the rest of us."
Daniela doesn’t have an answer for that.
That night, she lies awake, staring at the ceiling.
She thinks about Megan. About the way Megan’s presence feels like home. About the way she lights up when she wins a game, the way her dimples pop out when she laughs, the way Daniela wants to be the reason she smiles.
She doesn’t fully understand what Manon was implying. But she knows she loves Megan. And, for now, that’s enough.
The next morning, Daniela sees it.
A thin red string, glowing faintly, stretching from her chest.
It leads out of her room—toward Megan’s.
Her heart stops. Lara stayed at her parents’ house last night. That means…
Daniela stumbles back into her room, pulse racing. Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
The way Daniela always searches for Megan first in a crowded room. The way she needs to make her laugh, just to see her dimples. The way Megan has always been the most important person in her life.
Manon steps out of the bathroom, drying her hair. She takes one look at Daniela’s face and raises an eyebrow. "You good?"
"I—" Daniela swallows. "Yeah. I just…" She exhales sharply. "My red string appeared."
Manon grins. "Finally. I’ve been waiting forever for this."
Daniela blinks. "You what?"
Manon shrugs, trying way too hard to act casual. "I’ve… noticed things."
Daniela narrows her eyes. "Manon. Do you know something?"
"I know nothing," Manon says far too quickly. "Do you know who it’s leading to?"
Daniela’s stomach flips. "Yeah. It’s… Megan." She exhales. "Her door was shut, so I don’t know if it reaches all the way"
"Well… guess you’ll find out when you see her."
Daniela frowns. "Are you going to say anything to the others?"
Manon shrugs. "It’s not my string."
Daniela breathes out, voice barely above a whisper. "I always knew I loved her… but last night, you helped me realized I'm in love with her."
Manon just smiles. "That’s a big realization. I'm happy for you."
Daniela lets out a shaky laugh, heart pounding.
Because for the first time, she finally understands.
Megan and Daniela didn’t have a chance to talk that morning. Megan hadn’t even had time to look at Daniela. She’d woken up late, scrambled to get ready, and barely made it to the studio on time. No breakfast, no conversation—just pure chaos.
Daniela noticed the string the second Megan walked through the door. But there was no time. Not yet.
Rehearsal was brutal. The girls were running through their setlist, music pounding through the speakers, bodies moving in sync, sweat dripping onto the glossy floor. The mirrors lining the walls reflected them all—powerful, focused, pushing themselves to the limit.
At least, they were focused.
Megan wasn’t.
Because she was watching her.
Daniela, completely in her element, radiating confidence, her body flowing effortlessly with the rhythm. Megan had always admired her—had always felt something when she watched her move.
She’d gotten good at looking without really looking. At admiring from afar. At swallowing down feelings that had no place slipping through the cracks.
But then—
She saw it.
The red string.
And this time, it was whole.
Megan stumbled mid-step, her pulse slamming in her ears. The music blurred, the choreography forgotten. She barely heard the sharp inhale that came from just a few feet away.
Daniela had stopped too.
Their gazes locked, and in that instant, Megan knew.
The silent question passed between them, unspoken but deafening. Do you see it? Do you feel it?
Daniela’s lips parted, her breathing uneven, her brown eyes searching Megan’s. Then, slowly she nodded.
A small, unsure smile ghosted across her lips.
Megan felt something inside her crack wide open.
"Dani, Megan, focus!" their choreographer snapped.
Megan jolted, her heart still hammering. Daniela blinked as if snapping out of a trance.
They hurried back into position, faces burning, but Sophia, Lara, and Yoonchae were already looking at them with knowing expressions. They knew. Even without words, they knew.
Manon caught their eyes, her smirk subtle but victorious. She lifted her eyebrows as if to say, It happened.
Excitement flickered between them, a silent celebration. Megan is finally going to get her happy ending.
The music started again, but Megan’s heart wasn’t in it.
How could she focus—how could she breathe—when everything had just changed?
Forever.
After rehearsals, Megan and Daniela hung back, the weight of the moment pressing between them.
Daniela took a slow step forward, hesitating only for a second before reaching out. Her fingers brushed against Megan’s—just a light touch, barely there, but enough to send a shiver through her entire body.
“…I’ve been waiting for you to notice, too,” Daniela murmured.
Megan inhaled sharply. “You mean—?”
Daniela nodded, and for the first time, Megan saw it—really saw it. The warmth in Daniela’s eyes, the softness in her expression, the quiet realization settling over her like a dawn she hadn’t even realized she was waiting for.
The red string between them pulsed, vibrant and whole.
“I noticed it this morning,” Daniela admitted, her voice tinged with wonder. “I followed it to your room, but your door was shut, so I couldn’t tell if it was complete. And then today was so chaotic I didn’t even get the chance to see you. When you walked into the studio, and I finally saw it—the whole string—I was so happy. But I hated that we couldn’t talk about it right away.”
Megan let out a breathless laugh. “I get that. It was a lot.”
Daniela’s fingers curled slightly against Megan’s palm, hesitant but grounding. “When did you first see it?”
Megan’s eyes softened. “ We were all watching TV, and suddenly, it was just… there.” She let out a small, almost embarrassed laugh. “It was a shock, but at the same time, it wasn’t. I already knew I loved you. I was just scared to hope you were actually my soulmate. I kept looking for the string before that, but it was always faint, like a trick of the light. I didn’t want to let myself believe it if it wasn’t real.”
Daniela’s grip tightened. “But it is real. I am real. And I couldn’t be happier.” She exhaled, her gaze steady. “Megan, I love you. So damn much.”
Before Megan could respond, excited squeals shattered the moment.
“FINALLY!” Yoonchae groaned, dramatically throwing her hands in the air.
“I knew it was only a matter of time!” Sophia squealed, practically vibrating with excitement.
Megan and Daniela turned to find the rest of the girls grinning like they had just won the lottery.
Daniela blinked, confused. “Wait—what do you mean finally?”
Yoonchae shrugged. “It just took you forever to figure it out.”
Daniela opened her mouth to protest, then hesitated. “…Wait. How long have you known?” She turned to Megan with a suspicious squint.
Megan shifted awkwardly. “Um… almost two months?”
Daniela’s jaw dropped. She did some quick mental math. “…That was before that date?”
Megan winced. “Yeah…”
Daniela groaned, running a hand down her face. “Oh my god. I’ve been such an idiot.”
Megan laughed, squeezing her hand. “It’s okay. What matters is that you know now.”
Lara clapped her hands together. “I say we celebrate at my place! My mom’s been dying to have you all over again.”
“Ooh, yes! I miss her food,” Manon said, already looking far too eager.
“Sounds perfect,” Megan agreed. “Me and Dani can drive. Who’s coming with us?”
“Sophia and Yoonchip can ride with you,” Lara said.
Daniela nodded. “Cool. That means Lara and Manon are with me.”
As the three of them piled into Daniela’s car, Manon eyed her suspiciously. “You’ve got a look on your face. What are you up to?”
Daniela smirked, starting the car. “Do you guys mind if we make a pit stop first?”
Lara raised an eyebrow. “Not at all… but what exactly are we doing?”
“You’ll see,” Daniela said, her smirk widening as she pulled out of the parking lot.
Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae were the first to arrive at Lara’s parents' house. As soon as they stepped inside, the familiar warmth of home-cooked food filled the air.
"Hey, girls! How are you?" Kavita, Lara's mom, greeted them with a warm smile.
"We're good! How are you?" Sophia asked.
"I'm doing well. Happy you could make it," Kavita said, motioning for them to come inside.
"Thanks for having us," Megan chimed in.
"Yeah, and for cooking for us on such short notice," Yoonchae added.
Kavita waved a dismissive hand, laughing lightly. "No problem at all. I'm used to it by now. Lara has a habit of inviting people over last minute, so I always make extra food just in case."
"Still, we really appreciate it," Sophia said sincerely.
"Make yourselves at home—you know where everything is. Lara texted me that she'll be a little late." With that, Kavita headed back to the kitchen.
Megan frowned, dropping onto the couch. "They were literally right behind us. What could they possibly be doing?"
Sophia and Yoonchae exchanged a quick glance. They had gotten a vague text from Manon earlier saying Daniela was planning something—though she hadn't given any details.
"You know them," Sophia shrugged. "Always getting sidetracked. They'll be fine."
Megan sighed, deciding to let it go for now. The three of them settled into the living room, chatting while they waited.
Two hours later…
The front door finally swung open, and Megan immediately sprang to her feet. "What took you so long?" she asked, arms crossed as she eyed the three arrivals suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing," Daniela said, all too casually. "Just had to stop for gas. Maybe got a little… distracted." She shrugged, feigning innocence.
"Two hours worth of distracted?" Megan asked, narrowing her eyes.
Daniela only shrugged again, a teasing smirk playing at her lips.
Megan turned to interrogate Lara and Manon, but before she could get a word out, Kavita called from the dining room, announcing that dinner was ready.
"I know you're up to something," Megan whispered as she passed Daniela on the way to the kitchen.
"I'm not up to anything," Daniela defended, but her grin said otherwise.
Dinner passed in a blur of laughter and conversation. Megan was so caught up talking with Lara and Yoonchae that she didn't even notice when Daniela, Manon, and Sophia quietly slipped out of the house.
"And then me and Yoonchip were playing Overcooked," Megan was saying between bites, "and things got intense. There may have been some pillows thrown and lot of screaming. Sophia had to come in and tell us to shut up—"
"And then we started arguing with her about how she’s louder than us most of the time," Yoonchae added, rolling her eyes affectionately.
Lara gasped. "Nooo. I wish I had been there to see that."
"Be glad you weren’t," Yoonchae snorted." The neighbor knocked on our door to tell us we were being too loud. And then Sophia started lecturing us about being respectful to our neighbors—"
"Even though she was just as loud," Megan finished with a laugh.
"Exactly! Then Manon had to come in and play mediator, telling us to apologize to each other. Meanwhile, Daniela was just laughing the entire time."
Lara winced. "Okay, maybe I am glad I missed that. I don’t need another Sophia lecture. The one after David's livestream was enough." She huffed. "And I lost wig privileges."
Megan smirked. "Yeah, but I know you’re having fun trolling the Eyekons."
Lara’s grin was instant. "Oh, definitely. It’s fun, and they love it. Win-win situation."
Megan and Yoonchae just shook their heads, amused.
That’s when Megan finally noticed something. She frowned. "...Wait. Where did Soph, Manon, and Dani go?"
Lara, perfectly composed, shrugged. "I think they went home? They said they were tired."
"Oh. I didn’t even notice them leave," Megan said, confused.
"They were pretty quiet about it. I think you were in the bathroom?" Yoonchae offered smoothly.
Just then, Lara’s phone buzzed with a message from Daniela: It’s ready. You can come home whenever.
Lara slipped her phone back into her pocket and stood up. "Oh, Soph just texted me. She said we need to head back now."
Megan raised an eyebrow. "It's still early but ok. Let’s say bye to your mom first."
When Megan got home, she headed straight to her room. The moment she stepped inside, she froze. Daniela stood near her bed, shifting on her feet nervously, but Megan’s eyes were drawn to what lay on the covers.
A stuffed husky. KitKats and other candies. A candle. And an orchid.
Her heart clenched. “Dani…” Megan gasped. “This is so cute. You didn’t have to do all this.”
Daniela smiled, though there was a hint of nerves in the way she squeezed Megan’s hands. “I know, but I wanted to.” She took a deep breath, then met Megan’s eyes with a quiet determination. “I know we’re soulmates, but I still wanted to do this right.”
She swallowed, gathering her courage.
“Megan, will you be my girlfriend?”
Megan didn’t even hesitate. “Of course.”
Daniela let out a breath of relief, grinning. Megan squeezed her hands, eyes flickering between the gifts before looking back at her.
“Wait… is this what you were up to earlier?” Megan asked, realization dawning. “And why you disappeared after dinner?”
Daniela scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. “Yeah… it took longer than I thought to get everything, but I wanted it to be perfect.”
*Flashback*
As the three of them piled into Daniela’s car, Manon eyed her suspiciously. “You’ve got that look. What are you up to?”
Daniela smirked. “Do you mind if we make a quick stop first?”
Lara and Manon exchanged glances. “Not at all,” Lara said slowly. “But what exactly are we doing?”
“You’ll see.” Daniela only grinned as she pulled into the parking lot of a flower shop.
Manon and Lara immediately lit up. “Oh, Megan’s gonna love this,” Lara said, practically bouncing as they stepped inside.
Daniela wandered through the aisles, scanning the options. “I know she loves orchids… but is that too predictable?”
“No,” Manon said firmly. “It shows you pay attention.”
“Exactly,” Lara agreed. “She’ll love whatever you pick, but an orchid? That’s thoughtful.”
Daniela smiled, gently picking up a potted orchid. “Okay. One down.”
Their next stop was Target.
“So… what’s the plan here?” Manon asked as they grabbed a cart.
Daniela shrugged. “Just looking for things I know Megan would like.”
They roamed the aisles until Daniela suddenly stopped, eyes landing on a stuffed husky. Her heart squeezed.
“This,” she murmured. “It reminds me of Cassie. Megan’s been missing her.”
Lara’s expression softened. “Dani… that’s perfect.”
“Yeah,” Manon added. “She’s gonna melt.”
Feeling more confident, Daniela grabbed some of Megan’s favorite candy before following Lara and Manon—who had inevitably gotten distracted by candles.
“Oooh, smell this one,” Lara said, shoving a jar toward Manon.
Manon inhaled and hummed in approval. “That’s good. Try this one.”
Daniela shook her head fondly but stepped closer, sniffing a few herself.
“…Actually, a candle would be the perfect last touch,” she realized.
Lara and Manon shared a knowing smile. Between the orchid, the husky plush, the candy, and now the candle, Daniela was pulling out all the stops.
After checking out, they headed back to the car.
“So what’s the plan for the setup?” Lara asked.
“I was thinking of arranging it all on her bed,” Daniela said.
“Yes, adorable,” Manon approved. “But how are you sneaking in to do it?”
“I’ll keep Megan distracted after dinner,” Lara offered.
“Perfect, I’ll text you when it’s ready,” Daniela added.
Once they got to Lara's house, Megan started interrogating them immediately, but Daniela held strong, not giving anything away. After dinner, she, Manon, and Sophia slipped out while Lara and Yoonchae kept Megan busy.
Setting up the gifts wasn’t as easy as they expected.
“No, no, that doesn’t look right,” Daniela muttered, shifting the husky plush. “Maybe move it over a bit?”
Sophia tilted her head. “Hm. Not quite.”
“How about this?” Manon asked, rearranging them again.
Daniela stepped back, scrutinizing the arrangement. Then, finally, she nodded. “This is it.”
Sophia beamed. “It looks so cute.”
“Megan’s gonna love it,” Manon added.
*End of Flashback*
Megan’s fingers gently brushed the petals of the orchid before she turned back to Daniela, eyes shining.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered.
Daniela exhaled, relief washing over her. “Good.”
Later that Month...
Every Friday since then, Megan and Daniela had a date. And every week, without fail, Daniela showed up with a fresh bouquet.
One evening, as Megan placed the latest flowers in water, she turned to Daniela with an amused smile. “Why are you spoiling me so much?”
Daniela shrugged, leaning against the counter. “I have to make up for lost time.” She grinned. “And I need to make sure you know how much I love you.”
Megan set the vase down and walked over to wrap her arms around Daniela’s waist. “I do. And not because of the flowers—though I do love them—but because of you.”
Daniela melted instantly, pulling her close. “Well, you deserve to be spoiled. That includes fresh flowers every Friday.”
Their friends—who were watching from the couch, as usual—were practically swooning.
“They’re too cute,” Sophia cooed.
“Yeah, it’s almost sickening,” Yoonchae jokes.
“I’m happy for them, but they need to get a room,” Manon teased.
Meanwhile, Lara sat with her arms crossed, pouting. “Ugh. I want someone to buy me flowers every week.”
Sophia hid her smile, a plan already forming in her mind.
Lara didn’t notice, too caught up in watching Megan and Daniela be disgustingly adorable.
But Sophia kept smiling to herself.
Because starting that very Friday, just like Megan, Lara began receiving flowers.
A fresh bouquet, waiting at the door with a sweet note attached.
But never a name.
And while Lara had no idea who was behind it, she couldn’t help but smile—already looking forward to the next Friday.