Mystic Grove had its own brand of weekend parties: half-suburban chaos, half-forest ritual. Bonfires in backyards, bad music spilling from open windows, and someone's older cousin pretending to be in a band.
Zelta Twilight's party was no different — except hers had vibe. String lights wrapped around tree trunks, the scent of woodsmoke in the air, a Bluetooth speaker crooning mellow indie-pop across her backyard.
Sky arrived first, as always, hoodie zipped up to his chin. He leaned against the fence with a paper cup in hand, scanning the crowd like he was more interested in watching the social experiments than participating in them.
Scott showed up twenty minutes later, hair still damp from a rushed shower, wearing a leather jacket he'd clearly forgotten he still owned. A few heads turned. Some whispers floated past.
But it was Zelta who spotted him first.
She waved him over, her eyes softening with something almost like nostalgia.
"I can't believe you came," she said with a grin.
"Free food, emotional trauma, indie playlist — how could I resist?"
She laughed and hugged him, brief but real. "Sky's here too. You guys should hang out tonight. You know, like before."
Scott glanced around and nodded. "Yeah. Like before."
And it did feel a little like that. The three of them ended up on the back porch steps, sharing stories, teasing each other, rethreading old bonds like they hadn't been frayed by years and distance.
Sky looked happier than he had all week.
---
Later, Scott wandered toward the fire pit, hands in his pockets, when Diana appeared beside him — like smoke. Effortless, unreadable.
She offered him a marshmallow on a stick.
He blinked. "Is this a peace offering?"
"Depends. Are you dangerous?"
Scott tilted his head. "Should I be?"
Diana's mouth twitched. "You tell me."
They stood there in silence for a beat, firelight dancing between them.
"You're not like I expected," she said finally.
Scott raised an eyebrow. "And what did you expect?"
"Moody. Brooding. You know, tragic , loner type."
"And what am I instead?"
She smirked. "Charming. Reckless. Better hair than I expected."
He laughed. "I could say the same about you. Except maybe the reckless part."
"You don't know me yet."
"I'm getting the feeling I should."
Their eyes locked.
Something shimmered in the tension — playful, curious… hungry. Not urgent. Just there, simmering under the surface like the coals of the fire.
Diana turned first. "Well, come on,lover boy. Let's see if you're any good at beer pong."
Scott blinked. "Did you just call me—"
"Figure of speech," she tossed back over her shoulder, already walking away.
But Scott swore he saw something flicker in her eyes before she turned.
Something that knew more than it said.
---
Across the yard, Sky and Zelta watched from a distance.
"He likes her," Zelta said, sipping from her cup.
"Trouble," Sky murmured.
Zelta glanced at him. "Is it weird that I'm... happy he's smiling again?"
Sky looked at her, thoughtful. "No. It just means you still care."
Zelta smiled faintly. "Not the way I used to."
"I know."