"It's been so long since we went out… I'm really happy," Iris said with a huge smile.
"I'm happy to see you too," I replied, gently patting her head.
Iris froze completely for a second, as if her brain had stopped processing information. Then she smiled from ear to ear and threw herself into my arms.
"Izel… I love you."
She looked like a little puppy wagging its tail.
"I love you too," I laughed. "But we're going to be late. Your friends are waiting for us."
"Fine…" she pouted slightly before starting to walk.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the plaza. Two girls were waiting for us there.
One had light brown hair, dark eyes, and a sweet, slightly nervous smile. The other was taller, athletic, with a serious gaze and a sporty outfit that gave her a firm posture.
Iris ran toward them and greeted them naturally.
Curiously, she didn't hug them the way she had hugged me.
That detail lingered in my mind.
"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Luna," the shorter girl said softly.
"Rian. Nice to meet you," the taller one replied, crossing her arms calmly.
I introduced myself, and we went inside the plaza.
As we walked, they talked about their school lives. Exams, projects, strict teachers, parties, relationship drama.
I listened.
And I felt something strange.
A slight envy.
They were already in their second year. I was older… and starting over. I felt a little out of rhythm.
But at the same time, thinking about going back to school soon gave me a bit of excitement.
"Everything okay?" Rian suddenly asked, glancing at me.
"Yeah… I'm just a little jealous."
"Jealous?" Rian raised an eyebrow.
"I never got to live that experience. I had to start working very young to help at home. Hearing you talk makes me feel like… I missed something."
I smiled with a hint of sadness.
"I don't mean it in a bad way. It's amazing that you experienced that together. I'm going back to school too… I just wish I could've shared something like that."
Rian fell silent.
She was quite tall. Even taller than me, and that was saying something. Her presence was imposing. So was her silence.
I was starting to feel nervous.
"Hey," she suddenly said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "What do you say we go buy some clothes?"
"You want to go shopping?" Iris widened her eyes dramatically. "Are you sick?"
Luna stepped closer with fake concern.
"Are you in pain? Fever?"
Rian clicked her tongue.
"Are you coming or not?"
"Yes!" both of them answered at the same time.
I was still a bit confused.
Rian gently tugged my arm as we walked.
"I couldn't do anything for you before… but at least we can make new memories now."
She didn't look at me.
But her words made me smile.
I nodded.
And we headed toward the stores.
We spent quite a while trying on clothes.
Between laughter, awkward comments, and questionable outfit combinations.
I ended up buying a tight pair of shorts and a sleeveless top. Normally I would've felt embarrassed… but that day I felt good.
I knew that confidence was temporary.
But I liked it.
Even so, something inside me was… dimmed. No emotion felt intense. Not joy, not embarrassment, not excitement.
It was like everything had been softened.
Suddenly I heard a shout.
"Nooo!" It was Rian.
I turned to look at her.
She was wearing a sporty outfit: tight leggings and a top that left part of her abdomen exposed. Her defined shoulders, her firm posture.
She looked incredible.
I understood Iris and Luna's excitement.
"I am not taking this," she protested.
The three of us forced her.
We paid for part of the outfit to convince her.
I wanted to return a bit of the kindness she had shown me.
After that, we went to the movies, bought ice cream, and ended up sitting in the food court.
"So I bought these shark-print sheets I saw on TikTok," Luna said excitedly.
Iris gently tugged my shoulder.
"Did you like today? Did you have fun?"
There was a slight nervousness in her tone.
"Of course I did. Thank you for inviting me."
"Can we go out more often?"
"Of course we can," I smiled.
I felt genuinely grateful to have her.
I thought I should give her a gift later.
"What are you two whispering about?" Luna said, slightly annoyed.
"Nothing, nothing," Iris replied, ignoring her.
"Hey, Izel… I heard you're going back to school. Aren't you nervous?" Luna asked, her tone slightly sharp.
"Not really," I answered calmly. "I've been taking care of my grandparents for a long time. Now I can be a little freer. It makes me happy… but it also feels strange. Like I was on pause and I'm just starting again."
Rian nodded.
Iris took my hand under the table.
The only one who seemed uncomfortable was Luna.
As if she hadn't gotten the reaction she expected.
We exchanged numbers and created a group chat for the four of us.
Later, Iris and I headed back together.
Meanwhile, Luna and Rian walked toward the bus stop in silence.
Suddenly, Luna tugged on the sleeve of Rian's hoodie.
"Did you like that girl?"
"Yes," Rian replied with a slight smile.
She kept walking, not noticing that Luna was gripping the fabric of her skirt tightly.
Luna lowered her gaze, muttered something unintelligible… then smiled again before catching up to Rian.
Behind them, among the shadows of the parking lot, a very small figure —no taller than 50 centimeters— watched them silently.
And began to follow them.