jules & mika

So, I’ve reconnected with an old friend. Things were complicated, but don’t worry. Things are fine now. We’re friends.

Jules glanced over at Benson, who was waiting by the street corner, looking down at his own phone with a smirk. Jules shook her head with a small smile and joined him.

"Ready?" she asked.

"As ready as I’ll ever be," he replied, slipping his phone into his coat pocket.

They walked side by side through the bustling streets, the chill of the December air biting at their cheeks. The sidewalks were packed with last-minute shoppers, their arms full of bags, and holiday music floated from nearby stores. Jules tugged her scarf tighter around her neck.

“So,” Benson said, breaking the silence, “what’s the deal with this... game you mentioned? The one with the notebook?”

Jules glanced at him. “Oh, right. It’s—well, it’s not really a game, more like a back-and-forth dare thing. Mika and I write challenges to each other, and we have to complete them. It’s kind of ridiculous but also... fun.”

“Ridiculous?” Benson teased. “Says the girl who once dared me to eat an entire packet of wasabi peas in one go.”

“That was a solid dare,” Jules defended, nudging him with her elbow.

“And you laughed for twenty minutes while I choked on every single one.”

They both laughed, the sound blending with the hum of the holiday crowd. Jules felt herself relax; being with Benson was easy in a way that felt oddly comforting.

At the café, Jules pushed open the door, and they stepped into the warm, cosy space. The smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries enveloped them. Jules led the way to a small table by the window.

"So, what’s on the agenda?" Benson asked as they sat down.

Jules grinned. “A dare from Mika: cheese on a pie.”

Benson raised an eyebrow. “Cheese. On a pie. Jules, I don’t know if you should trust someone who thinks that’s a good idea.”

“She’s unique. That’s the point. The whole game is about trying new things, stepping outside your comfort zone,” Jules explained as she flagged down a server and placed her order.

When the pie arrived, a slice of melted cheddar draped across the top, Jules hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. To her surprise, it was... good.

“Okay,” she said, her eyes widening. “This is actually amazing. You have to try it.”

Benson eyed the pie sceptically but leaned forward with a smirk. “Absolutely not.”

“I’m happy for you,” Benson said after a moment, his tone shifting to something softer.

“For what?”

“For finding someone,” he said. “Even if it’s not... traditional, it sounds like this Mika person makes you happy. Like you’ve finally found the ‘perfect girl in your head.’”

Jules laughed, though his words hit closer to home than she expected. “She’s not perfect. She’s messy and silly and way too optimistic for her own good sometimes. But she’s... special. She’s Mika.”

Benson gave her a knowing look but added, “Just remember, Jules, if you put girls on pedestals, they fall. Trust me.”

Jules nodded, absorbing his words. Benson always had a way of cutting through her defences without being harsh about it.

“Well, hurry up,” he said, finishing the last of his coffee. “We’ve got a party to shop for.”

Jules pulled out the notebook from her bag before standing. She opened it and started writing.

"Thank you, Mika, for helping me be flexible even when facing the past. You’ve given me a Christmas break that doesn’t totally suck. In the spirit of reciprocity, my Christmas gift to you will be my name. I’ll give the notebook to Mrs. Basil E so it can be under your tree on Christmas morning."

She closed the notebook with a small smile. “Alright,” she said to Benson. “Let’s go find something ridiculously festive.”

Mika sat at the corner table of the cosy café, her carolling friends gathered around her. The soft hum of chatter mixed with the clinking of mugs and the faint strains of holiday music playing in the background. Mika’s gaze dropped to the red notebook in her hands, her fingers running over its worn edges. She flipped it open and began rereading the latest entry from Jules.

Across from her, Teddy leaned forward, his head cocked in curiosity. “So this is the girl who got you to go to the club?” he asked, grinning. “She seems cool.”

Mika smiled softly, still lost in the words on the page. “She is.”

Owen, sitting beside her, piped up, “We, uh, heard about Fiji. We’re really sorry, Mika.”

The weight of the conversation shifted, and Mika glanced up at her friends. Their faces held genuine concern, and her chest tightened, but she managed a smile. “It’s okay. Really,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe it’s time for a new start.”

Teddy reached out and touched her arm gently. “You’re the queen of positivity, Mika. If anyone can find something good about moving to Fiji, it’s you.”

“Yeah,” Owen added, trying to lighten the mood. “I mean, you’re literally moving to paradise. It’s gonna be cool.”

But Mika didn’t feel cool about it. Her heart sank at his words, the reality of the move pressing down on her. To them, Fiji might sound like a dream destination, but to her, it felt like being uprooted from everything familiar.

She looked around the table, watching her friends laugh and joke, their camaraderie filling the space with warmth. Mika felt a pang of longing. She was going to miss this. These moments. These people.

Her gaze dropped back to the notebook, and she flipped to a blank page, pulling out a pen. As her friends continued their lively conversation, she started writing, her thoughts flowing onto the page.

Dear Notebook Girl, whose name I’m excited to finally learn,

I’m happy I could help. It feels like so many things in my life are up in the air right now. Like everything is suddenly so out of place and confusing except… you. I find it odd that a stranger has made me feel better about facing the future, one of which I am so unsure about.

But thank you. Thank you for making me feel like it’s okay to not have everything figured out yet.

Later, as Mika walked down the street, the notebook tucked under her arm, her thoughts still swirling. Her eyes wandered until they landed on a large poster displayed outside a movie theater. The colourful image of Elemental caught her attention, and she stopped.

The tagline read, “Opposites React.” She stared at it for a moment, her thoughts drifting to Jules.

A buzz in her pocket pulled her out of her reverie. She pulled out her phone to see a message from Taryn:

"Pick you up at 6:30 for the party :)"

Mika was sitting cross-legged on her bedroom floor, carefully attaching ornaments and glittery ribbon to her green dress. Her Christmas tree-inspired creation was nearly complete, but her gaze kept drifting to the muppet she’d made a few days ago, perched on the shelf by her desk. Its unblinking button eyes seemed to be staring at her.

“What are you staring at?” Mika muttered, squinting at the muppet as if it might answer.

She sighed, setting down a strip of tinsel and getting to her feet. Walking over, she picked up the puppet and turned it around so it faced the wall. “It’s not my fault another girl asked me out before you,” she said, her tone defensive, as if she were genuinely being scolded by the handmade figure.

Satisfied with her response, Mika went back to her dress, threading a piece of ribbon through the neckline. Just as she was adjusting it, there was a knock on her door.

“Up for some Catan? Christmas Eve favourite,” Chloe called from the other side.

Mika didn’t even look up from her dress. “I don’t play games with liars.”

Chloe opened the door anyway, leaning against the frame. “I didn’t lie,” she argued, crossing her arms. “I withheld. There’s a difference.”

Mika finally looked up, raising an eyebrow. The silence stretched between them until Chloe exhaled, dropping her arms. “I’m sorry I lashed out, okay? The breakup with Bradley hit me hard, and I took it out on you. And that was dumb because… you’re my rock, Mika.” Chloe’s voice softened. “I could really use your help right now. I need my mind taken off the fact that love is dead.”

Mika hesitated, her fingers fiddling with a loose thread on the dress. “Even if I wasn’t mad at you,” she said carefully, “I couldn’t help, because I have a date tonight.”

Chloe’s eyebrows shot up. “With Notebook Girl? Hashtag Love Is Back In!”

Mika flushed. “Actually… it’s, um, with another girl.”

Chloe blinked, clearly surprised. “You didn’t tell me you met someone else!”

Mika smirked, her tone light. “I withheld.”

Chloe rolled her eyes but smiled. “Well, do you need an excuse to cancel, or what’s the problem?”

“I could definitely use an excuse,” Mika admitted, setting down the dress.

“Why would you cancel?” Chloe asked, tilting her head. “Dates are fun. Go have fun.”

“Because—” Mika hesitated, biting her lip. “Because isn’t this, like… betraying Notebook Girl? By going out with someone else?”

Chloe’s face softened. “You’re not betraying her, Mika. You’re keeping your options open.”

“But what if I don’t want to keep my options open?” Mika said, her voice quieter. “I like Notebook Girl.”

Chloe grinned. “I like Notebook Girl, too. She seems great.”

Mika couldn’t help but smile at that, a little bit of her tension easing.

Chloe leaned against the doorframe, her expression curious. “So, what’s Notebook Girl been up to lately?”

Mika’s smile faltered as she answered, “She’s reconnecting with a friend.”

Chloe’s face dropped instantly, her tone serious. “Oh no. That means she’s talking to her ex again. That’s code for an ex.”

“What? No!” Mika said, shaking her head.

But then her own words sank in, and her expression shifted. Oh no.

Mika’s pacing had started as a nervous shuffle but quickly turned into a full-blown circuit around her room. She tugged at her hair, muttering under her breath. “She’s totally talking to her ex again.”

Chloe watched her sister, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Maybe there’s something more to it,” she said.

Mika stopped in her tracks and pointed at Chloe. “Lucas said she has an ex, and now she’s ‘reconnecting’ with a friend. She’s totally talking to her ex!”

Chloe sighed. “Okay. Maybe she is. But you know what that means?”

“What?” Mika asked, throwing her arms up.

Chloe smirked. “It means she has a past, which means you need to go on that date tonight.”

“What does her past have to do with anything?” Mika frowned, crossing her arms.

“It means she’s lived a little, Mika. She’s had experiences, relationships… And if you want any chance of being a part of her future, you need to put yourself out there, too. You need—” Chloe stopped abruptly, her smirk fading as she glanced at Mika’s face. “You need to get some before—”

“Fiji,” Mika finished for her, her voice quiet.

Chloe fell silent, guilt flashing across her face. “Mika…”

Mika gave her a sad smile and sank onto her bed. “It’s fine. It’s true, isn’t it? I’ll be gone soon. What’s the point of putting myself out there if I’m just going to leave everything behind?”

Chloe walked over and sat beside her sister, nudging her gently. “The point, Mika, is that change is scary. But if you ever want to meet this Notebook Girl—like, actually meet her—you have to tell her. Be honest. Tell her what’s going on; tell her about Fiji. If she’s worth it, she’ll understand.”

Mika’s eyes filled with uncertainty, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her dress. “And if she doesn’t?”

“Then at least you’ll know,” Chloe said firmly. “But running away before you even try? That’s not you, Mika. You don’t give up.”

Mika let out a small laugh, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. “You make it sound so easy.”

Chloe shrugged. “It’s not. But it’s worth it.”

Mika took a deep breath, staring at the muppet still turned toward the wall. “Okay,” she said finally. “Okay, I’ll try.”

Mika sat at a small booth in the corner of the coffee shop, her hood pulled over her head, trying her best to look inconspicuous. Across from her, Lucas stirred his latte lazily, raising an eyebrow at her obvious attempt to avoid attention.

“So,” Lucas began, leaning back in his chair, “what’s this covert mission about? Should I be worried?”

Mika shifted uncomfortably, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. “It’s not a mission. It’s… Look, I just need to talk to you about something. It’s about Jules.”

Lucas perked up immediately, his brows knitting together. “What about her?”

“Well…” Mika hesitated, trying to find the right words. “You said Jules has an ex, right? And I heard she’s been ‘reconnecting with an old friend.’ Doesn’t that sound… suspiciously like she’s hanging out with her ex?”

Lucas rolled his eyes, dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand. “No way. Jules wouldn’t do that. If she were, she would’ve mentioned it. She’s not the type to keep stuff like that a secret.”

Mika nodded, her shoulders slumping slightly in relief, but Lucas’s expression shifted as the words replayed in his mind. His stirring slowed, and he frowned. “Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, Jules didn’t say who this ‘old friend’ was.”

Mika looked at him, her anxiety spiking again. “Exactly! Doesn’t that seem… weird? Why be vague about it unless she’s trying to hide something?”

Lucas tilted his head, tapping a finger on the table. “I mean… maybe. But it’s Jules. She’s usually straightforward. I can’t imagine she’d deliberately keep it from me unless there was a reason.”

“Or unless she’s unsure about it herself,” Mika said softly, her fingers clenching around her cup.

Lucas studied her for a moment before sighing. “You’re really into her, aren’t you?”

Mika blinked, caught off guard by the question. “I… I don’t know. Maybe? Yes?” She groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I’m just confused, and now I feel like this is all going to blow up in my face.”

Lucas gave her a sympathetic smile and reached across the table to pat her hand. “Look, Mika, Jules might be reconnecting with someone from her past, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a shot. You’re something new for her, and knowing Jules, she wouldn’t be playing games.”

Mika sighed, the weight of her worries still pressing on her chest. She reached into her bag and pulled out the notebook, sliding it across the table to Lucas. “Can you give this to her? I… I can’t face her right now. Not while I’m feeling like this.”

Lucas picked up the notebook, flipping it over in his hands. “Sure, I’ll make sure she gets it. There’s a party tonight, and she’ll be there. I’ll pass it on then.”

“Thanks, Lucas,” Mika said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Don’t mention it,” he said with a grin. “And hey, stop overthinking. Jules likes you. That much is obvious.”

Mika gave a weak smile, watching as Lucas tucked the notebook into his jacket and stood up. As he walked away, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was right—or if she was already too late.

The party was already buzzing with laughter and chatter when Lucas walked in, clutching a drink he barely planned to sip. The holiday decorations were extravagant, as expected of Simone, and the scent of cinnamon and freshly baked cookies hung in the air. He spotted Jules across the room and started to make his way over when a familiar figure intercepted him.

“Benson. Didn’t realise you were back.” Lucas said, feeling the tension settle between them like a fog.

Benson raised an eyebrow, his tone measured. “It’s only been for a few days.”

Lucas stiffened, his confusion obvious. “Oh, right. Welcome back.”

Before Benson could respond, Jules walked into the room, her entrance lighting up the space. Her gaze flickered between the two men, and she quickly caught on to the awkward atmosphere. “Hey, what’s going on?”

“Not much,” Benson said smoothly, slipping an arm casually over the back of a nearby chair. “Just letting Lucas know we did some Christmas shopping today. Got everything sorted, didn’t we, Jules?”

Jules nodded cautiously, her eyes darting to Lucas. “Yeah, we grabbed a few things.”

Lucas frowned, his tone laced with confusion. “Shopping? You and Benson went shopping?”

“Yeah, it was nice,” Jules said, her voice a bit too neutral as she gestured to Benson.

Before the awkwardness could deepen, Simone appeared, her energy cutting through the tension. “Perfect timing, Jules!” she exclaimed. “I need your help. I have to do a book analysis for college, and I need something impressive. Who better to help than our resident bookworm?”

Benson perked up at that, jumping in with a grin. “Jules’ favourite books? Kafka on the Shore, Pride and Prejudice. And, hm, Great Expectations.”

Simone raised her eyebrows, impressed. “Well, thank you, Jules and Benson. I’ll take those suggestions. And thank you both for picking up dessert, by the way. Lifesavers.”

Lucas blinked, his confusion only growing. “Dessert? You guys went shopping, and you got dessert?”

Jules glanced at Benson, her expression unreadable. “We stopped by a bakery while we were out.”

The room seemed to thrum with unspoken tension as Lucas studied Benson, then Jules, piecing together the pieces of a puzzle he wasn’t sure he wanted to solve.

Simone, oblivious, clapped her hands together. “Great! I’m so glad we’re all back together.” She breezed off, leaving Lucas, Jules, and Benson in the increasingly charged silence.

Lucas finally broke it, his voice quiet but pointed. “So... it’s been a busy day for you, huh, Jules?”

Jules opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn’t come. The weight of Lucas’ gaze and Benson’s presence pressed heavily on her, and she felt the need to explain—but to whom, she wasn’t quite sure.

Jules followed Lucas into the spare bedroom, closing the door softly behind her to muffle the noise of the party. Lucas crossed his arms, looking at her with a mix of concern and frustration.

“Alright,” he said, breaking the silence. “Why didn’t you tell me about Benson? You’ve been spending the whole day with him, Jules.”

Jules sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Lucas, it’s not a big deal. We’re just friends catching up. That’s it.”

Lucas shook his head, his expression hardening. “Not a big deal? Jules, I’m your best friend. And as your best friend, it’s my job to call you out when you’re falling back into old habits.”

“What habits?” Jules asked, her voice rising defensively.

Lucas reached into his jacket and pulled out the red notebook. He held it out to her, his voice steady but firm. “The habit of clinging to what’s familiar, even when it’s not good for you.”

Jules stared at the notebook in his hand, the sight of it tugging something deep inside her.

“Mika is good for you,” Lucas continued, his tone softening. “She challenges you. She makes you laugh and makes you have fun. She’s getting you out of your own head, Jules. That’s rare.”

Jules looked away, guilt pooling in her stomach. “It’s not like I’m trying to ruin things with Mika. Benson just… showed up.”

Lucas sighed, lowering the notebook but not letting go. “I get it. The past has a way of sneaking back in when you least expect it. But don’t let it cloud what’s happening right now. Mika deserves better. Hell, you deserve better than falling back into whatever Benson represents.”

Jules met his gaze, her defences dropping. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

Lucas placed the notebook in her hands and gave her a small, reassuring smile. “Don’t forget Mika, Jules. She’s the one who’s been making your life brighter, not Benson.”

He clapped her gently on the shoulder, then stepped back. “I’ve got to head out, but think about what I said, okay?”

Jules nodded, holding the notebook tightly. As Lucas left the room, she let out a breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding. She opened the notebook, running her fingers over Mika’s handwriting, and felt the weight of Lucas’ words settle in her chest.

Taryn arrived right on time, her car pulling up to Mika’s driveway with a faint hum. When Mika opened the door, Taryn stepped out, dressed to the nines in a sleek outfit that seemed more appropriate for a holiday magazine cover than a neighbourhood party. Her face lit up when she saw Mika.

“Wow,” Taryn said, her eyes scanning Mika’s outfit. “You really went all out.”

Mika grinned, doing a playful twirl to show off her Christmas tree sweater, complete with twinkling lights and garland wrapped around her torso.

Taryn chuckled, opening the passenger door for Mika. “No one can pull that off but you.”

As they drove to the party, Taryn made an obvious effort to engage in conversation, asking about Mika’s day and even complimenting the sweater again, though the compliment felt slightly forced. Mika responded politely, but there was a strange awkwardness between them, like they were two mismatched puzzle pieces trying to fit together.

When they arrived, the party was already in full swing. The house was aglow with warm lights, music playing in the background, and clusters of people chatting and laughing. Taryn walked in confidently, taking Mika by the hand to lead her inside.

But the moment they crossed the threshold, Taryn’s demeanour shifted. She let go of Mika’s hand and offered a quick, “I’m just going to make the rounds. Be right back, okay?” before disappearing into the crowd.

Mika stood by the door for a moment, her festive sweater suddenly feeling like a spotlight in a room filled with sleek dresses, tailored suits, and fashionable winter wear. She glanced down at her sweater, the blinking lights now seeming less whimsical and more out of place.

With a sigh, she discreetly reached under the hem of her sweater and flipped the switch to turn off the lights. She stuffed her hands into her pockets and began to walk around, avoiding prolonged eye contact and feeling increasingly out of step with the elegant atmosphere.

The energy of the party buzzed around her, but Mika felt like an outsider looking in, trying to find her place in a space that didn’t quite feel like hers.

Dear Notebook Girl, today I saw a poster for that new Pixar movie, Elemental. Have you seen it? It's a love story. Sure, the main characters are literally a flame and a water blob, but the poster is beautiful. And I keep thinking about the trailer, and in a way, it kinda reminds me of us.

Her lips curved into a small smile, the kind that grew slowly, like warmth spreading through her chest. Jules had always been a sucker for metaphors, and this one hit her in a way that felt both absurd and completely perfect.

The door creaked open behind her, jolting her back to reality. She quickly folded the notebook and looked up to see Taryn tossing coats onto the bed.

“Reading at a party?” Taryn teased with a laugh. “Classic Jules.”

Jules forced a polite smile, watching as Taryn breezed out of the room. The door clicked shut, and Jules exhaled, her attention returning to the notebook. She unfolded the page and continued reading, her curiosity pulling her back in.

I wish you were here with me so we could come up with silly puns together and realise that we are more like these characters than we think. You've encouraged me to be bold and to leave my comfort zone. To find a part of myself that I’ve never seen, so it's time for me to put this out there. This notebook isn’t enough anymore. It’s time to take what we have off the page and meet in person. What do you say? We could even see Elemental.

The words lingered in the air like a challenge, a dare that Mika had placed right in front of her. Jules felt her breath hitch, her heart thumping in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.

Mika’s words—her earnest, unfiltered words—touched something in Jules that had been dormant for a long time. She had spent so much of her life guarding herself, living safely behind walls made of sarcasm and self-imposed rules. But here was someone who saw through all of that, who wasn’t afraid to ask for more, to encourage Jules to take a leap she hadn’t even realised she wanted to take.

What do you say?

Jules leaned back against the bedframe, a slow, involuntary laugh escaping her lips. Mika’s optimism and courage were contagious. She could picture Mika’s bright smile as she wrote those words, her eyes lighting up at the thought of meeting, of finally bridging the gap between their written connection and real life.

For the first time in a long time, Jules felt her doubt and cynicism start to dissolve, replaced by something new: hope.

The smile on her face widened. It was time to stop hiding. Time to stop living in fear of what could go wrong. She was ready to find out what could go right.

Jules reached into her bag and pulled out a pen, the weight of the notebook balanced carefully on her lap. Her fingers hesitated over the blank page, the air thick with the kind of nervous energy that only came when something truly mattered.

The words from Mika's note played over in her mind like a melody she couldn’t shake. Jules let out a breath and pressed the pen to the page, her handwriting small but deliberate.

I wish you were here with me right now too.

She paused, a smile tugging at her lips. The confession felt as natural as breathing and yet electrified her all the same. Her pen hovered over the paper as she thought of what to say next, her heart racing.

The party buzzed with conversation and laughter as Simone held up two DVDs, animatedly polling the guests. “Alright, people! Time to settle it: Home Alone or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York?”

Jules, perched on the arm of a chair, looked aghast. “The second one? Are you serious? The geography is all wrong! Kevin somehow ends up in the Upper West Side when he starts downtown—do people even think about this stuff?”

The room fell into a momentary hush before the sound of laughter broke through. Mika, standing off to the side, was the only one doubled over, clearly amused by Jules’s passionate outburst. Her laughter caught Jules’s attention.

When Mika moved to the buffet table, Jules followed, her eyes flickering toward the sweater that unmistakably resembled a Christmas tree. She hesitated before speaking but eventually smiled. “Your sweater... it’s amazing.”

Mika glanced down at herself, flushing slightly. “Oh, I’m fully aware I look ridiculous.”

“No, no!” Jules stammered, waving her hands. “I mean, you look amazing. I look ridiculous. Look at these pants. They’re so... fancy.”

Mika grinned, her confidence rising. “Fancy pants, huh? Well, check this out.” She flipped a small switch on her sweater, and suddenly, twinkling lights illuminated her outfit.

Jules’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide. “Oh my God, you’re... a Christmas tree. That’s so cool.”

“Thanks,” Mika said, blushing but clearly pleased. “You know, I think people are way too quick to call sweaters like this ugly. I hate it when they do.”

Jules chuckled. “I agree. I guess then, I’ll say that your sweater is unconventionally attractive.”

Mika smiled shyly, then decided to return the compliment. “And your pants, I bet they’re beautiful on the inside.”

Jules blinked, giving her a playful side-eye.

“Metaphorically speaking!” Mika clarified quickly, her voice pitching nervously. “Not literally. I don’t, uh, know what’s... in your pants. Or what they’re like. On the inside.”

Jules broke into a laugh, her smile easing Mika’s nerves. “So, how do you know Simone?”

“I, uh, don’t,” Mika admitted sheepishly.

Jules tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Well, in that case, want to take me hostage and get me out of here?”

Mika blinked, surprised, then smiled. “That’s a weirdly bold offer, considering we just met.”

“Parties aren’t my thing,” Jules confessed, glancing around. “They’re made for people like Taryn, who just... do whatever comes to mind.”

Mika pointed at Benson. “Like him, the centre of attention. I bet he’s never been alone at a party in his life.

Jules leaned in, her tone softer now. “Well, if one’s different, one’s bound to be lonely.”

Mika’s eyes lit up. “Brave New World.”

Jules grinned, pleased. “Yeah.” She extended a hand toward Mika. “At least we can be lonely together. I’m, uh, I’m Jules.”

Mika opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Benson swooped in, his voice cutting through. “There you are, Jules. You promised me a dance, remember?”

Almost simultaneously, Taryn appeared beside them, smirking. “Jules, are you hitting on my girl?” Taryn clapped her hands. “This party’s getting boring. We need something to spice it up.”

Benson chimed in, grinning. “How about Truth or Dare? Jules loves dares, doesn’t she?”

Mika shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting between the two. She suddenly felt out of place, a part of a game she wasn’t sure she wanted to play.

The room quieted as Benson leaned toward Jules, his grin challenging. "Alright, Jules. Truth or dare?"

Jules hesitated, glancing around the circle of expectant faces. She looked to Lucas, who raised an eyebrow as if to remind her of their earlier conversation. Finally, she sighed. “Dare.”

Benson’s smirk widened. “I dare you to leave this party with me and travel back in time.”

The dare hung in the air, and the crowd murmured, intrigued. Jules froze, her thoughts racing. Her gaze flickered across the room and landed on Mika, whose expression was filled with something Jules couldn’t quite place—hope, maybe, or hesitation.

Mika’s chest tightened as she watched Jules consider the dare. She wanted to call out, to tell Jules to stay, but the words didn’t come. Instead, Jules straightened her shoulders and said, “Fine. Let’s go.”

The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter as Jules followed Benson out of the room. Mika’s heart sank, the weight of disappointment settling in her chest.

Simone, always attuned to the vibe in the room, scanned the faces until her gaze landed on Mika. She raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “Your turn, Christmas Tree. Truth or dare?”

Mika forced a smile. “Truth.”

Simone didn’t miss a beat. “Where’s the wildest place you’ve ever hooked up?”

The question hit like a slap, and Mika’s cheeks flushed. The room grew quieter, all eyes on her. She opened her mouth to respond but faltered.

“Okay, okay,” Simone said, leaning forward with a grin. “Made out, then. Or... held hands?”

The laughter that followed felt sharp, cutting through Mika’s thin veneer of confidence. She looked around, but no one came to her defense. Taryn, standing off to the side, didn’t move or speak, her expression unreadable.

Mika’s face burnt as embarrassment washed over her. Without another word, she pushed back her chair and stood, making her way to the cloakroom.

As she pulled her coat on, the door creaked open, and Taryn rushed in. “Hey, hey, don’t go. We were having fun, right?”

Mika shook her head but offered a small smile. “I have to go home.”

Her voice was softer now, stripped of the teasing edge she often used. “Is it true? That you’ve... never been kissed?”

Mika stiffened, her hands tightening on her coat. “Why does it matter?” she asked, avoiding Taryn’s gaze.

She hesitated, then said, “You’re beautiful, Mika. And... if that’s true, it’s only because no one’s been lucky enough to do it yet.”

Mika’s heart raced.

Just as Taryn leaned in, a loud voice called out from inside. “Taryn! Come on, strip poker!”

She wasn’t sure whether to feel disappointed or relieved.

Taryn smiled at Mika, “Duty calls. Night, Mika.”

“Goodnight, Taryn.”

When Mika walked through the front door, the familiar warmth of the house greeted her. She tugged off her coat, hanging it by the door, and was about to slip quietly to her room when Grandpa’s voice stopped her.

“Home already?” he asked from his recliner, his newspaper folded neatly on the table beside him. His glasses were perched low on his nose as he looked up at her with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Thought you’d be out carolling all night.”

Mika offered a small, tired smile. “Plans changed,” she said simply, walking over to give him a quick hug.

He studied her face for a moment, his sharp eyes catching something unsaid. “You okay, kiddo?”

“Yeah,” Mika replied, though her voice carried a note of uncertainty. “Just... a long night.”

Her grandpa didn’t press further, simply patting her arm as she retreated toward her room. “Well, don’t stay up too late,” he called after her.

Once in her room, Mika closed the door softly behind her and flicked on the lights. Her eyes landed on the muppet she’d made earlier in the week, still sitting on her dresser. She picked it up, holding it in her hands and staring into its felt eyes.

Mika exhaled a soft laugh, shaking her head at the absurdity of it all. It had been a strange few days—carolling, awkward parties, and the ever-present pull of her thoughts about Notebook Girl.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, she’d finally know the name of the mysterious girl who had somehow wormed her way into Mika's heart. The thought both excited and terrified her. She had gotten so used to writing in the notebook, pouring her thoughts and feelings into it as though it was her only outlet. But now? Now, everything felt real. She would meet this girl—see her face, hear her voice, and maybe... maybe that connection she had built through words would finally become something more.

Mika’s stomach fluttered at the thought, and then, just as quickly, a wave of doubt swept over her. What if it wasn’t what she expected? What if the girl was nothing like she imagined? What if the magic of the notebook didn’t translate into the real world?

She shook her head, trying to shake off the fears. “Stop overthinking,” she muttered to herself, but it didn’t help. The doubts lingered, twisting in her chest.

She picked up the puppet, staring at it for a long moment. “Tomorrow,” she whispered to it, as if it could offer her some wisdom. "Tomorrow, I’ll know."

Jules stood still, blindfolded, as Benson led her carefully through the quiet night. She could feel the excitement building with every step, even if the darkness behind the cloth was all she could see. Benson’s voice was warm and casual as he explained the surprise.

“You always said museums would be great if there weren’t so many people around,” he said with a hint of pride, his fingers brushing against hers. “I thought you might enjoy this.”

Jules couldn’t help but smile, amused by how well Benson remembered her quirks. She had always hated the crowds in museums, the noise that seemed to drain the life out of the exhibits. She loved the idea of wandering alone, getting lost in the art without distractions.

When they finally arrived, Jules heard the quiet sounds of an empty space—no crowds, no voices, just a peaceful, almost sacred silence. Benson removed the blindfold, revealing a museum entrance, but what took her by surprise was the stillness of it all. The museum was closed for the night, yet here they were, standing in an exclusive, locked-up gallery.

"How did you...?" Jules trailed off, impressed and a bit in awe.

“Let’s just say I have my ways,” Benson grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. “Now, what do you think?"

Jules was in awe, the space before her more magical than she had imagined. The walls were lined with art that she could spend hours studying, and the absence of people allowed her to truly lose herself in it. It was like the pages of a book, where the world seemed to disappear, and only the story remained.

As she wandered through the museum, her mind briefly wandered to Mika. She had promised herself she’d be bold, but right now, everything felt so different. She couldn't help but think of the notebook and how it had pushed her to think outside of her comfort zone.

Then Benson called out to her from a restricted area, his voice playful. “Come over here, Jules. Don’t you dare back out on me now.”

Jules hesitated. She loved the thrill of adventure, but this felt different—wrong, even. Instead of walking toward him, she stopped and turned toward the dim light of the hallway, her hands resting on a nearby exhibit.

“What are we doing here, Benson?” she asked quietly, the weight of her thoughts finally catching up with her.

Benson’s face softened for a moment, and then he gave a half-shrug, his usual charm fading into something more vulnerable. “I thought we could go back in time, you know? When it was just us.”

Jules frowned, turning to face him. “We broke up because I couldn’t be myself around you,” she said, her voice firm.

Benson didn’t argue. He just stared at her, the years of history lingering between them. “You’ve changed a lot,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “But so have I.”

She raised an eyebrow. “That’s not enough. You still talk for me. You still think you know what’s best for me.”

He was quiet for a moment before he stepped closer, almost too close. “Maybe I’ve been wrong,” he admitted. “But I want to be more than just friends with you, Jules.”

Before she could process it, Benson leaned in and kissed her, his lips finding hers in a moment of desperation and longing.

For a second, the world around her seemed to blur, and Jules found herself kissing him back, giving in to the familiar rush. The museum, the promises, even Mika—everything faded as she got lost in the kiss. She pulled back for a breath, but her thoughts felt distant, and she couldn't quite grasp the connection to the notebook.

The weight of the kiss was heavy, but it didn’t feel right. She hadn’t been herself in the relationship before. Had she just fallen back into old habits? For a fleeting moment, she thought of Mika, the girl who had pushed her to be bold and genuine.

But as Benson’s arms wrapped around her, and her thoughts became clouded, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was easier to forget about the notebook and everything it stood for.