There was exactly one week left before Lily and Linda's birthday.
The entire school seemed to know about it.
Posters weren't officially printed, but word traveled fast — especially when it involved a big house, a DJ, and unlimited food. Lily had told enough people for the rest to spread it like wildfire.
Anna tried not to think too much about the party.
Instead, she focused on something simpler.
Gabriel.
Over the past week, sitting beside him had become routine. He no longer asked if the seat was free. He just sat down and greeted her quietly every morning.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was easy.
That afternoon, Lily and Linda were waiting near the school gate when Anna walked out with Gabriel beside her.
Lily spotted her first.
"And who is this?" she asked immediately, folding her arms with playful suspicion.
Anna sighed. "Relax."
She turned slightly. "Gabriel, this is Lily and Linda. My best friends."
Gabriel nodded politely. "Hi."
Lily circled him once like she was inspecting him. "So you're the famous Gabriel."
He blinked. "Famous?"
"Very," Lily said seriously.
Anna nudged her. "Ignore her."
Linda stepped forward, offering a small smile. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," Gabriel replied.
There was a brief pause — not awkward, just new.
"So," Lily said, clapping her hands together. "Are you coming to the party?"
Anna froze slightly. They hadn't talked about that.
Gabriel looked at her first before answering. "If I'm invited."
"You are now," Lily declared.
Anna didn't protest.
"Then… I'll come," he said.
They walked together for a short distance before Gabriel needed to turn toward the bus stop.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said to Anna.
"Yeah," she replied.
Lily waited until he was out of earshot.
"He's nice," Linda said simply.
"He's calm," Lily added. "I approve."
"You people are unbelievable," Anna muttered, though she couldn't stop the small smile forming.
The next morning at school, Anna found herself distracted.
During break, she stood near the corridor window, her eyes drifting toward the staircase that led to the upper floor.
She didn't know why she was looking.
Maybe she just wanted to confirm something.
Maybe she just wanted to see if he was there.
She spotted movement — one of the four boys walking past.
Her heart skipped for a second.
But it wasn't him.
She leaned slightly forward, scanning the hallway again.
"Who are you looking at?"
Gabriel's voice came from beside her.
She startled.
"I'm not looking at anyone."
He followed her gaze anyway. "Upper class?"
She quickly looked away. "No. Just… nothing."
When she glanced back toward the staircase, the hallway was empty.
No sign of him.
Gabriel studied her face for a second but didn't push.
"Okay," he said simply.
That was something she liked about him. He didn't dig when she avoided something.
They started walking toward their classroom together.
Later that day, Anna met Lily and Linda behind the library as usual.
"Okay," Lily announced dramatically. "Important discussion."
"What now?" Anna asked.
"Gifts," Linda said.
Anna blinked. "Gifts? It's your birthday."
"Yes," Lily replied. "And people are going to ask you what we want. So you need to know."
Anna laughed. "That's not how it works."
"It is when you're practical," Linda said.
They sat on the low concrete bench.
"I don't actually need anything big," Linda added quietly. "I'd prefer something small."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Ignore her. I like big."
"You like attention," Linda corrected calmly.
"And?"
Anna shook her head. "So what am I supposed to get you two?"
"Something thoughtful," Linda said.
"Something cute," Lily added.
"That doesn't help."
They all laughed.
Then Lily leaned closer. "What are you getting Gabriel?"
Anna frowned. "Why would I get Gabriel something? It's your birthday."
"I'm just asking," Lily said innocently.
Linda watched Anna carefully. "You think about him a lot."
Anna hesitated.
Did she?
"I don't," she said finally. "He's just my friend."
"Okay," Lily said in a tone that clearly meant she didn't fully believe her.
But they let it go.
As they walked home together, Anna found herself thinking about the party again.
About Gabriel being there.
About the four boys possibly hearing about it.
About the hallway.
About the way she kept looking without meaning to.
She told herself it didn't mean anything.
It was just a party.
Just a friend.
Just school.
But sometimes the smallest things felt like they were slowly building into something bigger.
And she wasn't sure yet if she wanted to know what that something was.