Calvin was relentless.
The moment we sat down, he leaned forward, chin resting on his hands, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"So," he said, dragging the word out, "who fell on who?"
I nearly choked on my drink. "No one fell on anyone."
Xavier stared very hard at the table. "It was an accident."
"An accident," Calvin repeated, nodding seriously. "That somehow involved catching, holding, and intense eye contact."
"That is not what happened," I said, heat rushing to my face.
Calvin grinned. "Relax. I'm happy for you."
"There is nothing to be happy about," Xavier muttered.
"Oh?" Calvin shot back. "Then why did you sit closer to Hinata again?"
Silence.
I glanced sideways. He really had.
Before either of us could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Aiden?"
My heart stuttered.
I looked up to see him standing there—with Amira beside him. She smiled first, warm and polite, like she always was. Aiden looked surprised, then… unsure.
"Hey, Hinata," he said. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Yeah," I replied, managing a small smile. "Mall day."
Amira glanced between us. "Mind if we sit with you? It's pretty crowded."
For a split second, everything inside me tensed.
This was the moment I would've avoided before. The moment that used to hurt just thinking about it.
Calvin looked at me, eyebrows raised—not teasing now. Asking.
Xavier stayed quiet, watching me carefully, like he was ready to follow whatever choice I made.
I took a breath.
"Sure," I said. "Go ahead."
The words felt strange—but not painful.
They sat down. Conversation started slowly, awkward at first, then easier. Calvin talked enough to fill the gaps, Amira laughed, Aiden listened. Xavier stayed close, not possessive—just present.
At one point, Amira leaned toward me. "I'm glad you're doing well," she said softly. "Really."
I met her eyes and realized I meant my response. "Thank you. I am."
Across the table, Xavier's knee brushed mine—just barely. He didn't move away.
And for the first time, sitting at the same table as Aiden didn't feel like reopening a wound.
It felt like proof.
Proof that I'd healed.
Proof that I could choose to stay.
Proof that whatever was growing quietly beside me now… was something new.
Calvin caught my eye and gave me a knowing look.
Yeah. He definitely noticed.