The morning sun hit the city like it was trying to burn through the fog of exams, deadlines, and high school drama. At The Corner, the four of them were already in position: Maya with her sketchbook on her lap, pencil slashing across the page; Lila sprawled across the bench, boots kicked up and smirking; Ethan tucked into his hoodie, eyes flicking over a cracked phone screen; Noah leaning against the fence, arms crossed, scanning the courtyard like he knew secrets everyone else didn't.
MAYA: (muttering) Why does this eye look like a zombie attacked it?LILA: (grabbing the page midair) Zombie chic is in, babe. Trust me.MAYA: (rolling her eyes) You're impossible.LILA: (grinning) And you love it.
ETHAN: (low, without looking up) Teachers coming. Ms. Harlow and the chem sub.NOAH: (slowly standing) So?ETHAN: So they're whispering about us. Again.LILA: (mock gasp) My reputation precedes me.
Noah didn't budge. Just stood there, calm, his presence enough to make the teachers walk past without noticing more than a blur.
MAYA: (grinning) Four letters: T-R-O-U-B-L-E.LILA: (snapping fingers) Trademark it.NOAH: (flat) We don't need extra attention.LILA: Speak for yourself, tall, dark, and terrifying. I thrive on attention.
By mid-morning, Lila had dragged them all to a bus parked at the end of the street. Its windows were fogged, the engine groaning like it hadn't run in a decade.
MAYA: (suspicious) Where exactly are we going this time?LILA: To live. To breathe. To remind ourselves the city doesn't own us.ETHAN: (flat) That's not an answer.LILA: (grinning) Exactly.
Maya sighed, flipping her sketchbook open. She drew the bus, the city blur through the window, and the way Lila's grin made her seem untouchable. Noah stared quietly out the opposite window, while Ethan kept tapping at the cracked screen, his fingers moving like he was deciphering a secret code no one else could see.
The bus rattled over a pothole. Maya's pencil broke.
MAYA: (groaning) Fantastic. Just fantastic.NOAH: You're gripping too tight. That's why it snaps.MAYA: (snapping back) You sound like my art teacher.NOAH: (shrugs) Maybe they were right.MAYA: (softly) Don't say that.
LILA leaned over, voice sharp.
LILA: Screw her. Screw anyone who says "never." You're Maya Vega. Don't let anyone write your story.
ETHAN finally looked up at her.
ETHAN: She's right. Always.
Hours later, the bus pulled into a dusty lot on the edge of the city. In front of them stretched an abandoned amusement park, rusted rides groaning in the wind, paint peeling like sunburned skin, grass growing through the cracked asphalt.
LILA: (clapping) Welcome to our kingdom, peasants!MAYA: (laughing) Feels like we're in a horror movie.ETHAN: (dry) Which one dies first?NOAH: (calm) Not us.
They ran through the park, climbing on broken rides, slipping down slides, screaming into empty booths. Maya sketched constantly, Lila pulled harmless pranks, Ethan protected from any minor dangers, and Noah quietly measured every risk like a shadow watching over them all.
LILA: (jumping from a platform) Bet you can't catch me!NOAH: (catching her hand mid-fall) Too slow.LILA: (laughing) Ugh! You cheat!MAYA: (scribbling) Cheat or skill, doesn't matter. You're ridiculous.
As the sun dipped, they climbed onto the Ferris wheel, dangling their legs over rusted bars.
MAYA: (softly) This… is nice. No expectations. No gossip. Just us.LILA: (smiling) Exactly. Nothing can touch this.ETHAN: (quietly) Not even the world.NOAH: (calm) Just us. Always.
On the bus ride back, they were quieter, worn out but smiling. Maya leaned against Lila, eyes half-closed. Ethan scanned the street outside, fingers tapping on the phone like he was mapping every shadow. Noah hummed quietly, a low, soothing tune.
MAYA: (muttering) I really needed today.LILA: (grinning) Told you. Adventure heals.ETHAN: Sometimes distraction is the only medicine.NOAH: And the best company never lets you fall alone.
When they reached The Corner, the city lights glittered. They climbed the fence, settled on the bench, and let the world pass by.
MAYA: Tomorrow… we take on the world?LILA: (mock serious) Tomorrow we nap. And maybe take over the universe.ETHAN: (dry) Priorities.NOAH: (calm) Always together.
And there they sat, four silhouettes against the fading sky, laughing, joking, and promising each other — no storm, no rumor, no threat would ever break them..
The next morning, Maya found herself sketching in her room, the window open to let in the soft hum of the city. But her mind wasn't on the lines she drew—it was on the bus ride yesterday, the warehouse, and that stupid flyer. Lila barged in before she could finish thinking.
LILA: (grinning) Morning, sunshine! Or should I say… chaos queen?MAYA: (groaning) How do you always manage to burst in like a tornado?LILA: (shrugging) Talent. You should try it sometime.MAYA: I'd rather live.
Noah and Ethan appeared behind her, carrying backpacks and looking unusually serious.
NOAH: (calm) We need a meeting.ETHAN: (flat) About the flyer. Someone's trying to push buttons.
Lila flopped onto the bed, waving a hand dramatically.
LILA: Pfft. Let them push. They'll regret it.
Maya sighed, tucking her sketchbook under her arm.
MAYA: Let's go then. Let's find out who thinks they can mess with us.
At the cafeteria, they spread out their "detective work": notes, doodles, and texts. Ethan had traced a social media account, Noah had mapped out the student's schedule, and Lila had a dramatic plan that involved disguises and fake rumors.
LILA: (grinning) Operation Chaos is a go.MAYA: (rolling her eyes) You're ridiculous.ETHAN: (calm) And effective.NOAH: (quiet) Let's see how smart he really is.
They caught the student just after lunch, hiding behind the library. Lila leaped out first, waving like a cartoon villain.
LILA: (mock sweet) Surprise! Did you miss us?STUDENT: (stammering) Wh-what?MAYA: (calm) Enough games. We know it was you.ETHAN: (deadpan) And trust me, this isn't a friendly warning next time.NOAH: (calm) You've embarrassed yourself enough. Admit it.
The student's face went pale, realizing that not one, but four people had orchestrated this quiet, precise plan to confront him.
STUDENT: (defeated) Okay… okay, I did it. I just… I wanted attention.LILA: (mock gasp) Attention? You wanted us to notice you?MAYA: (smirking) Newsflash: You got noticed.ETHAN: (flat) And it won't be repeated.
Noah tilted his head, calm and steady.
NOAH: Let this be your lesson. Don't mess with people who fight together.
The student bolted. The four of them high-fived, laughed, and walked back to The Corner like nothing had happened, but the air was charged with energy—the kind that comes from being untouchable together.
Later that week, Lila convinced them to go on a "city adventure." They hopped the train, dodged traffic, and explored forgotten streets. Maya sketched constantly, capturing the graffiti, shadows, and light that flickered over cracked walls.
LILA: (mock dramatic) Behold! The streets are our kingdom!MAYA: (laughing) You're insane.ETHAN: (flat) And probably going to get arrested.NOAH: (calm) Only if you're stupid enough to get caught.
They stumbled upon a street performance — a group of dancers flipping and spinning. Lila immediately challenged them, joining mid-performance, making everyone laugh. Maya sketched her in motion, Ethan watched, almost like he was analyzing her energy, and Noah just smiled quietly.
MAYA: (whispering) Why does she make everything look so easy?ETHAN: (quiet) Because she doesn't care who's watching.NOAH: (calm) And that's why she's untouchable.
That night, exhaustion hit them all. They collapsed back at The Corner, eating cheap pizza and sharing stories about the day.
MAYA: (softly) I can't remember the last time I laughed like that.LILA: (grinning) Then you need more chaos.ETHAN: (flat) Or more sleep.NOAH: (calm) Or both.
Maya looked around at them, the four shadows against the city lights.
MAYA: I don't know what we'll face tomorrow… but I know we'll face it together.
LILA: (raising a slice of pizza) To surviving, thriving, and owning every mess we create.ETHAN: (quiet) Always.NOAH: (calm) Together.
And in that moment, laughter echoed, shadows danced, and their bond felt untouchable.