By the time they stepped back into the car, the sun had mellowed into late afternoon amber. Zikora leaned against the leather seat with a tired sigh.
"We came to buy a date dress," she said, buckling her seatbelt, "and somehow, you bought your entire closet."
Layla rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't insult me, lady. That wasn't even a quarter."
Zikora checked her phone. "Oh my days. 3:26 P. M. I better text my mom and tell her I'm staying at yours. You know...since I'm going on this double date."
Layla reached for her own phone. "Yeah, you should. Before she sends an Amber Alert."
Zikora started the car, and the tires whispered against the cobblestone as they drove toward Layla's home.
The car turned into a serene cul-de-sac, where the driveways were lined with manicured hedges and imported palm fronds. Ahead, Layla's house came into view - a low, sprawling bungalow of contemporary marble and dark timber, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and golden lighting that spilled onto the patterned driveway. It was luxurious, yes, but tasteful. Sophisticated without being loud. The kind of wealth that had nothing to prove.
Zikora parked beside a new, matte-black Audi coupe gleaming in the driveway.
Layla squealed. "Oh! My new car arrived!"
Zikora looked at her. "You never told me you were getting a new car."
Layla grinned. "Wanted it to be a surprise."
Zikora smirked. "Well, I'm not really surprised."
Layla folded her arms. "Seriously?"
"Nope."
They stepped out as the front door opened. A tall man in a crisp suit approached - Gerald, Layla's butler. Two younger assistants, also in formal black attire, trailed behind him like a well-rehearsed ensemble.
"Allow me," Gerald said, bowing slightly as they reached for the shopping bags.
Zikora nodded politely. "Thank you."
Layla, beaming, hugged Gerald with genuine affection. "When did it arrive?"
"Thirty minutes ago, madam," he replied with his usual British composure. "Is it to your taste? If not, I'll begin the return process immediately."
Layla glanced at the Audi. "It's perfect. I love it."
As they entered the house - cool air, glass chandeliers, the faint scent of lavender and cedarwood - Gerald turned to Zikora.
"And how are you today, Miss Zikora?"
"I'm doing okay, thank you, Gerald."
"Very good, miss."
The apartment was dimly lit, warm with the lazy glow of a lamp in the corner, and the soft hum of Netflix's loading screen echoed from the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. Zikora and Layla lay sprawled across the cream-colored sectional, a bowl of popcorn nestled between them, and the opening scenes of a teen drama playing out in front of them.
Zikora was halfway through commenting on a cringey line when a loud digital alarm broke through the room's calm.
5:30PM - TIME FOR DATE PREP 💅💋, Layla's phone read in bold pink font.
Layla sat up dramatically. "Babeeeee, it's glow-up o'clock."
Zikora groaned, dragging a pillow over her face. "Already? Can't we just stay here and judge fictional relationships instead?"
Layla grabbed her hand. "Nope. Real-life chaos awaits. Up, soldier. Operation Cute Girl Mode is a go!"
The two girls hurried to Layla's room-an explosion of perfume bottles, dangling necklaces, and designer shopping bags. Music played in the background as they got ready, the usual chatter flowing between them. Laughter, mascara, and a few outfit swaps later, they were walking out the door-effortless, confident, glowing.
As they stepped into the hallway, Layla turned with a theatrical twirl. "Gerald," she called sweetly.
Her butler, ever so poised, appeared almost instantly. "Yes, Miss Layla?"
She placed her hands on her hips and struck a pose. "Be honest. How do I look?"
Gerald took a graceful step forward, adjusting his glasses as he assessed her from head to toe. "You look breathtaking, like the cover of Vogue met a constellation."
Layla beamed. "I knew it!"
Zikora chuckled, shaking her head. "You flatter her too much."
"Only because it's true," Gerald said with a wink as he opened the car door for them.
The girls arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes later. It was a high-end rooftop space downtown, glowing with golden lights and full of elegance. Soft jazz floated through the air, and waiters in black ties moved gracefully between polished tables.
As Layla and Zikora stepped into view, two tall boys seated near the edge caught sight of them. Both boys stood-tall, tanned, and dressed like they belonged on the cover of a college fashion magazine. They waved enthusiastically.
"There they are!" Layla grinned.
Zikora gave a small smile and followed her lead. They walked toward the table, heels clicking against the marble floor.
Layla practically skipped to her boyfriend Noah's side, slipping effortlessly into the seat next to him. Zikora hesitated for half a second before sitting across from her-next to Lawrence, Noah's best friend.
"Zik, sit here," Layla said with a knowing smirk. "Get comfy."
Zikora sat, slightly stiff, offering Lawrence a polite smile.
As expected, Layla and Noah were locked in their own world in minutes-laughing, whispering, sharing bites from each other's plates. Zikora tried not to look awkward, sipping her drink and toying with the napkin in her lap.
Finally, Layla turned to her and said brightly, "Well, babe... Noah and I are gonna dip."
Zikora blinked. "Wait, what?"
Layla stood, tugging Noah up with her. "We've got somewhere to be. Don't worry, you'll have fun!"
Zikora opened her mouth to protest but they were already halfway to the elevator. "Layla-!" she called after her.
Too late.
She turned slowly, now fully aware of Lawrence sitting beside her.
He offered a sheepish smile. "Well... that happened."
She let out a laugh, surprised at herself. "Yeah. They're wild."
A moment passed. Lawrence took a sip of his drink before turning toward her. "So... what are you into?"
Zikora tilted her head. "Um... novels. Especially dark romance. Anime. I like to draw. Oh, and I love manga too."
His eyes lit up. "Wait, for real? You love anime?"
Her posture relaxed. "Of course I do."
"That's so cool," he said, clearly impressed. "What's your favorite?"
"Attack on Titan," she replied instantly. "You?"
"Bleach. Hands down."
They both laughed.
The tension melted away as they slipped into easy conversation. They talked about characters they loved, stories that made them cry, theories they had about future seasons. Lawrence talked about how he used to sneak episodes during lectures, and Zikora confessed to doodling anime characters in the margins of her notes.
Time passed faster than either of them realized.
Lawrence checked his phone and his expression changed. "Oh wow, it's already 7:00. I'm really sorry, I have somewhere I need to be before 7:30. It's... kind of urgent."
Zikora nodded, a little surprised at the time herself. "It's okay. I don't mind. I actually had fun."
He stood up and offered his hand to help her from the seat. "Me too. Honestly, Noah set this up without telling me, but... I'm glad he did. You're really cool."
She smiled softly and reached for her purse. "Thanks. And if you don't mind... I think I'd like to stay friends. I'm not really in the right place for dating right now."
Lawrence looked relieved. "Same here. I completely get it."
They exchanged a friendly goodbye-no awkwardness, no pressure-just understanding.
As Lawrence disappeared into the evening crowd, Zikora sat back down. She sighed quietly and reached for her drink. The rooftop was still buzzing around her, but for a moment, she was still.
She stirred her straw in her glass, then smiled faintly to herself.
Maybe this night wasn't what she expected.
But maybe, just maybe, that was okay.