POV: Becky
Becky stood in front of the mirror for what felt like the tenth time that afternoon, brushing her hair and reapplying lip gloss. She didn't even know why she was this nervous — it was just Joe, right?
Just Joe.
Bryan's goofy, charming, always-smiling best friend.
She took a deep breath, straightened her outfit, and smiled at her reflection. "You've got this," she whispered to herself.
A knock came on the door. "Becky, are you ready?" It was Maria's voice.
"Yeah, I'm coming!" Becky grabbed her bag, her heart already pounding.
---
The café Joe picked wasn't fancy — just cozy, with soft music and the smell of vanilla milkshake in the air. He was already sitting at the corner table, dressed simply in a white tee and jeans, his watch gleaming on his wrist.
When he saw her, he stood up, flashing that playful grin that could melt any girl's guard.
"Hey, pretty," he said.
Becky tried not to blush, smiling instead. "Hey yourself."
They sat down, ordered drinks, and for a while, it was just light conversation — school gossip, memes, funny stories about teachers. But soon, Joe's voice grew softer, his tone changing.
"You know," he said, stirring his drink absentmindedly, "I've always wanted to talk to you like this."
Becky tilted her head. "Talk to me? You mean outside school drama?"
He chuckled. "Yeah. I mean… I've noticed you for a long time, Becky. Since the first week you joined Fabulous High with Maria."
Becky blinked, surprised. "Really? You noticed me?"
Joe nodded, his eyes steady on hers. "Of course. You were always confident but quiet. The way you carried yourself, the way you defended Maria that day in the cafeteria… I've never forgotten it."
Becky laughed lightly. "Oh, that day? You mean when I almost slapped your best friend?"
Joe grinned. "Exactly that day. You were fearless. You didn't care who Bryan was — and that's what made me look at you differently."
Becky felt her cheeks warming. She didn't know how to reply, so she just sipped her drink.
Joe leaned closer, his voice gentler now. "I wanted to talk to you before… but I didn't know how. I thought maybe you'd see me as another rich boy who likes attention."
She smiled faintly. "You mean like Bryan?"
He laughed. "Exactly. I didn't want to be like him. I wanted to come correct."
Becky met his gaze, her voice soft. "Then why now, Joe? After all this time?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I couldn't keep pretending I didn't like you. Every time I saw you walk into class with Maria, or whenever you'd laugh at something stupid, it just… got to me. And I realized I've admired you for a long time. I just didn't have the courage to say it."
Becky's heart thumped so hard she was sure he could hear it.
"Joe…" she whispered, smiling nervously.
He reached out across the table, his hand brushing against hers. "So… I'll just say it."
She held her breath.
"Becky," he said softly, "I really like you. I've liked you for a while now. And I don't want to just hang out anymore — I want something real. Will you… be my girlfriend?"
Becky's lips parted, completely caught off guard. For a second, she just stared at him, her mind spinning.
Then she laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're serious?"
Joe nodded, his smile gentle but genuine. "Very serious."
She looked at him for a long moment — the boy who once laughed at Maria's pain now sitting in front of her, speaking with honesty. There was something in his eyes that didn't look fake.
Becky took a deep breath and smiled. "Okay, Joe. I'll give you a chance. Let's see where this goes."
Joe's grin widened instantly. "So that's a yes?"
She rolled her eyes playfully. "That's a maybe yes… if you don't mess it up."
He laughed, relief washing over his face. "I promise, I won't."
They spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and sharing fries. For the first time, Becky saw a different side of Joe — funny, kind, and surprisingly sincere.
As they walked out of the café, he held the door open for her, smiling. "You know, you've got the prettiest smile in this whole city."
Becky blushed and nudged him with her shoulder. "You better stop before I start believing you."
Joe grinned. "You should. Because it's true."
They both laughed as they walked down the street, the sunset painting the sky behind them.
For the first time in a long while, Becky felt something warm blooming in her chest — something she hadn't expected to find that day.
The car ride back was quiet but sweet. The air outside was cool, and Joe's playlist played softly in the background — smooth Afrobeats with lyrics that made Becky blush now and then.
He had been nothing but a gentleman all evening — making her laugh, opening doors, walking on the outside of the road. For once, she actually felt seen.
As they approached Maria's house, Becky smiled. "You can drop me here. I told Maria I'd stop by to see her before heading home."
Joe nodded, slowing down in front of the big brown gate. "Sure thing."
The car rolled to a stop, and he looked at her with that easy grin again. "I had a great time, Becky."
Becky smiled back, her voice soft. "Me too."
He opened his mouth to say something else when—
BAM!
The gate suddenly swung open so fast that Becky nearly jumped.
And there she was.
Maria.
She stepped out gracefully, her long hair brushing against her shoulders, her skin glowing like light itself. She wore a soft pink dress that hugged her curves perfectly, her smooth fair skin almost shining under the porch light. Her smile — sweet but confident — could've stopped traffic.
For a second, nobody moved.
Joe froze, his hand still on the steering wheel, staring like he'd just seen a ghost. Becky turned toward the gate, her eyes lighting up.
"Maria!" she squealed, jumping out of the car.
Maria's face broke into a bright smile. "Becky!"
The two friends ran toward each other, laughing like little girls, hugging tightly as if they hadn't seen each other in years.
"Oh my God, I missed you!" Becky shouted, holding her hands. "Look at you, you're glowing even more!"
Maria laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "You too! I've missed our gist sessions."
They were still giggling when Joe finally climbed out of the car, his eyes wide, his jaw slightly open.
"Wait," he said slowly, his voice full of disbelief. "Did you just call her… Maria?"
Becky turned to him, still smiling. "Yes, this is Maria. Why?"
Joe blinked rapidly, pointing as if he needed confirmation. "This Maria? As in, the Maria from Fabulous High? The one Bryan used to—" He cut himself off, still staring in shock. "No way. No freaking way."
Maria smiled politely, folding her arms. "Yes way."
Joe ran a hand over his head. "You've got to be kidding me. You… you look— I mean—" He stuttered, trying to find the right word. "You look completely different! What happened? How—"
Maria chuckled softly, pretending to blush. "I guess yoga finally paid off. And I reduced how much I eat. Simple discipline."
Becky bit her lip, trying not to laugh. If only he knew the truth.
Joe shook his head, still in disbelief. "Nah, this can't be just yoga. Maria, you look like a totally different person. Even your skin— it's glowing like— I don't even know."
Maria giggled lightly. "Well, thank you, Joe. Hard work works wonders."
He stared at her for a few more seconds, still struggling to process what he was seeing. The same girl he once mocked for being "fat and ugly" now looked like she had walked straight out of a dream.
"I need to hear this full story," Joe said finally, resting his arm on the car roof. "You can't just show up looking like this and say it's yoga."
Before Maria could reply, Becky waved her hand playfully. "Joe, abeg. You've seen her now, mystery solved. Go home before Bryan starts wondering where his gossip partner is."
Joe blinked, still dazed. "Bryan won't believe this. He won't even recognize her."
Becky rolled her eyes, stepping forward to drag Maria toward the gate. "Exactly why we're saving that surprise for school. Now go before you faint."
Maria giggled, waving at him. "Bye, Joe. And drive safe."
Joe just stood there, staring as the gate closed slowly in his face. "What in the world just happened…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in pure disbelief.
He climbed back into his car, still dazed. "Maria? That's Maria?" he said to himself as he drove off. "Nah. Bryan needs to see this. He's going to lose his mind."
---
Inside, Becky and Maria burst into laughter the moment the gate closed.
"Did you see his face?" Becky gasped, holding her stomach. "He looked like someone just told him ghosts are real!"
Maria laughed so hard she nearly tripped. "I swear! He couldn't even talk properly!"
The two girls giggled their way inside, collapsing on the couch, their laughter filling the house.
Becky grinned. "Girl, this term is going to be fun. Bryan and his squad won't know what hit them."
Maria smiled mischievously, her fingers brushing against her silky hair. "Let them come. The new Maria's ready."