SEPTEMBER 2015 - THE PAST

The movie has already started, yet we’re still outside. Elodie and Gillian have gone to get popcorn and drinks for all of us. Gillian’s family runs a successful notary office in town—no wonder his last name seemed familiar to me right away. “Schmidt” isn’t exactly a rare name, but I still made the connection immediately. Given his financial situation, Gillian often covers the cost of food and drinks when the group goes out—tonight is no exception.

“How’s Aryan doing?” Navid asks curiously. “Ever since he left, we’ve barely heard from him, and we’re starting to worry.”

I wave it off with a smile. “He barely talks to us either. According to my mom, he had a lot to prepare before the semester started.”

Navid nods several times, raising his eyebrows in understanding. It’s obvious Aryan’s friends are worried about him. So why didn’t he want to introduce them to us all these years? I can’t understand his reasoning—because so far, they seem like really good people.

“How do you feel about it?” Navid continues. “Is it strange not having him at home anymore?”

I shrug. I haven’t really thought about it. Aryan was always alone in his room anyway. The older he got, the more he distanced himself from us. Maybe studying abroad is his way of telling us he doesn’t want to be part of the family anymore. But why am I thinking about this now, of all times?

“I’m happy if my brother is happy,” I finally say, keeping it brief.

Navid smiles gently and looks at me directly. “He’s really lucky to have a sister like you.” After a short pause, he adds, “Honestly… I think it’s a shame none of us ever got the chance to meet you or Ayla. You’re both really likable. And to be honest… I understand Aryan’s reasoning. You’re a beautiful girl.”

What did he just say?

I’m a beautiful girl? Did he really just compliment me? Why is my body suddenly heating up at his words? Is Navid the type of person who always speaks so charmingly?

His eyes captivate me—a mesmerizing brown with hints of green scattered throughout. His entire presence feels almost majestic. His height, his smile, the scent of his cologne, and those braids that make him look even more striking. Why is my heart racing faster than before?

“Th-Thank you,” I mumble, failing to suppress my stutter.

Navid keeps looking at me with that gentle smile. But just then, Elodie and Gillian return, their hands full. Everyone rushes over to help them carry everything. Outwardly, I keep my composure, but inside, I feel relieved. Not because I didn’t enjoy talking to Navid—quite the opposite. But my emotions are confusing me.

Samira took Matthew from me, knowing full well I was in love with him. My plan is clear: I’ll show her that he still has feelings for me—and it will destroy her. There’s no room for additional distractions. Navid may be kind, maybe even a little flirtatious, but I can’t afford to lose focus.

Inside the theater, I glance at my ticket and realize my seat is right next to Ayla. Gillian had reserved and paid for all the tickets in advance, so we didn’t have to spend a single cent tonight. Ayla was clearly displeased at first—she doesn’t like being treated. But she didn’t make a fuss, even though I could tell she wasn’t happy about it.

“Hey Matthew, shouldn’t you be sitting next to your queen?” Navid suddenly whispers, drawing my attention.

He holds out his ticket to Matthew and points at the empty seat beside Samira. In that moment, I realize—there must have been a mix-up with the seating. Elodie must have accidentally switched two tickets. If Matthew had been sitting next to me, it would have played perfectly into my plan. But is Navid doing this on purpose—just so he can sit next to me? Or does he just enjoy teasing his friends?

“Does it really matter where we sit?” Matthew replies, annoyed. “So what if I’m not sitting next to Samira for two hours?”

Navid furrows his brows. “If it doesn’t matter to you, then why not just sit next to your girlfriend?” He throws Matthew a cheeky look before settling into the seat beside me. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to chat with our best friend’s sister.”

Matthew meets his gaze with complete indifference. For a brief moment, our eyes meet—then he abruptly looks away. Samira tugs him down by the arm, making him sit, and he doesn’t resist.

I had expected him to want to sit next to me. But why would he? His girlfriend is right here. But he… No. That can’t be. He can’t be in love with Samira! He’s just pretending… right?

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He doesn’t look at me again. His attention is entirely on Samira.

That idiot.

“We could just sneak into another theater and watch a horror movie instead,” Navid whispers.

He may have ruined my plan, but strangely, I can’t be mad at him. His positive energy is contagious. Maybe he just wanted to spend time with me. How could he have known that my revenge plan would have taken a crucial step forward if Matthew had spent the evening next to me? Navid is innocent.

I shake my head with a smirk. “I can’t leave my sister alone. She hates romance movies just as much as I do.”

Navid raises an eyebrow in surprise. “Your bond is remarkable. You’re not related by blood, but you treat her like family.” He sighs softly. “Honestly, I think it’s a shame Aryan never arranged for us to meet.”

I freeze.

They don’t know about Matthew and me? None of them?

Has Matthew never told them about our summer together? I understand why Aryan doesn’t like talking about his family, but Matthew… not even a single word? He should have been furious about Aryan’s decision—loud and clear!

Damn.

What am I doing here?

Who am I even trying so hard for? For a guy who clearly doesn’t care about me?

Maybe that summer was only special to me. Maybe I was just another girl in a long line for Matthew. Aryan interfered, decided what was best for me. But with Samira? Matthew had free rein. No overprotective brother standing in his way.

Alright, Matthew. I will get my revenge. But not because I want you back. Because I want myself back.

With a soft smile, I rest my arm on the shared armrest, closer to Navid. “I can’t understand my brother’s decision either.” I steal a quick side glance at Matthew—but he doesn’t even look at me. “Maybe it’s better that we’re only meeting now.”

Navid tilts his head curiously, shifting a little closer. “Do you really think so? Why?”

I grin and shrug. “Maybe we wouldn’t have gotten along right away a few years ago.” Then I nod toward the screen, rolling my eyes dramatically. “The torture is about to begin. I bet you’ll be the first one to stretch your legs and escape this nightmare for a few minutes.”

Navid narrows his eyes slightly—he seems amused by my challenge. “Alright. But I bet you won’t last either.”

I hold out my hand to make the bet official. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Matthew glancing at us—just for a fraction of a second.

JUNE 2016 - THE PRESENT

The thought of that evening makes me smile involuntarily. But it’s not just nostalgia that brings it on. Rather, it’s the realization that the truth had been right in front of me all along—yet I couldn’t see it.

I should have paid more attention to my brother’s motives.

“Only a few months have passed since then …” My lips curl into another smile, this time at my own foolishness. “… and yet, I can now see how childish my behavior was. How it led me to this point.”

It’s strange. My mind and my body are on opposite sides, fighting against each other. Inside me, there is a storm of emotions—indescribable, yet so painfully clear. Almost as if I were being stabbed over and over again, only to be healed immediately—an endless cycle.

The inspector leans back thoughtfully. “So, at first, you were determined to destroy Samira Farahani’s relationship.” She pauses, her sharp eyes studying me. “But a single action from Matthew Lee was enough to make you want to see him suffer as well. Interesting.”

I take a deep breath. “Like I said …” My voice is barely more than a whisper, yet it echoes heavily in the room. My smile lingers, though even I don’t understand why. “… childish.”

SEPTEMBER 2015 - THE PAST

The entire movie, I couldn’t focus on the plot. Partly because I wasn’t interested in it anyway, but mostly because my attention kept drifting to Matthew. Every time I glanced over at Navid, I could see Matthew cuddling with Samira in the background.

“I’m genuinely impressed,” Navid admits with an approving nod. “You’re the first person to ever win a bet against me. You have my utmost respect.”

But at this moment, I couldn’t care less about the bet. I only agreed to it to get Matthew’s attention—and I failed completely. Why doesn’t he see me? He was a different person during the summer! Maybe I imagined his affection. Maybe it was all just an illusion.

No! I won’t give up that easily. Why am I like this? Why do I retreat at the slightest setback?

Suddenly, the high-pitched scream of a child jolts me out of my thoughts. The sounds of reality rush back in, and my eyes, which had been staring blankly, now focus sharply on Navid. He’s watching me expectantly—reminding me of what he just said.

I put on a wide smile. “Earning your respect is the greatest honor for me, Mr. Irvani.”

Navid blinks in surprise. “Mr. Irvani?” For a moment, he looks perplexed, but then he recovers, a playful smile flashing across his lips. “I see. You’re messing with me! Alright then! Tell me—what does the loser, unfortunately me, have to do now?”

I shrug, thinking. Navid is still a stranger to me. I’d have to get to know him better to figure out how to tease him properly. “Can I save my reward for later? I can’t think of anything fitting right now.”

Navid tilts his head thoughtfully, studying me for a few seconds. His eyes lock onto mine. I want to look away, but his gaze keeps me trapped.

Finally, he nods. “Alright. Then let this be my first gift on the first day of our friendship, Aly.”

JUNE 2016 - THE PRESENT

That feeling when he first started calling me Aly. No one before him had ever come up with that nickname for me, even though it was the most obvious choice. After our first night at the movies together, the whole group started using it—everyone except Matthew. He barely spoke to me, and when he did, he got straight to the point.

What was it that drew me to Navid back then? His personality, his presence—or simply the whole package?

“I’m not exactly young anymore, in case you hadn’t noticed,” the inspector remarks in a stern tone. And yet, I catch a hint of sarcasm. The woman sitting across from me… she’s human, after all. Why does it surprise me that she has a sense of humor? Or am I just imagining it?

“What decision did you make after that night? Did you abandon your revenge plan and give Navid Irvani a chance? Or did you keep chasing after Matthew Lee?”

Navid Irvani. Matthew Lee. Though they are no longer part of this world, their names still feel ever-present. Almost as if I’ll be seeing them again in an hour—just like back then. Back when the world was still intact. Or at least when I believed it was.