As Luck navigated the crowded hallway, he suddenly heard a voice behind him.
“Excuse me… Lucky, right?”
He turned to see Lila Hart standing there, smiling gently but with a hint of nervousness. They hadn’t spoken at all since the school year began, but her friendly energy seemed unmistakable.
“Close enough, Luck; actually, that’s me,” he replied calmly, meeting her gaze.
“Great! I wanted to make sure I got your name right,” she said, giving a small, relieved laugh. “We haven’t really talked, but I remember you from the first day of school and the study group.”
Luck gave her a slight nod, recalling her introduction. “You’re Lila Hart,” he replied.(she forgot my name, which slightly hurts.)
Her smile grew a little brighter. “Right! So… I was curious about something. I noticed you and Miria seem to talk sometimes. Are you two friends?”
Luck raised an eyebrow, surprised at the direct question. “I wouldn’t go that far. We just sit next to each other because that’s where we were assigned.”
“Really?” she asked, her curiosity clearly piqued. “It’s just that she doesn’t really talk to anyone else in the whole school except her sister. I thought maybe you two had a closer connection.”
Luck shrugged slightly. “I guess I’m just convenient.”
Lila seemed to consider his response, then laughed softly. “Maybe so.” She looked down, a little thoughtful. “You know... on the first day, I introduced myself to everyone, hoping to make friends, and even asked if people would share their contact information with me.”
She quoted herself with a nostalgic smile. “‘My name is Lila Hart, and I’m alone here because no one from my old school attends here. I’d like to get to know you all better, so if you’d be willing, please share your contact info with me.’ But I guess that might’ve been a bit much for some people.”
Luck nodded. “I remember that,” he replied. “I’m fine sharing my contact info with you if you still want it, but Miria's... if she wasn’t comfortable giving it to you, it’s not my place to pass it on.”
Lila’s expression softened, and she nodded. “Thank you, Luck. I get it. And... thanks for being honest.”
Luck gave a slight nod, ready to head off, but Lila’s voice stopped him again.
“Actually, would you... maybe help me get to know Miria better?” She asked, her tone hesitant yet hopeful. “You’re the only one she talks to, and I’d really like to be friends with her, too.”
Luck hesitated, feeling a little taken aback. “I don’t think that’s something I can do."
“Please?” Lila stepped closer, her eyes fixed on his with an almost pleading look. “I’m not asking for much; just... help me break the ice, maybe? I think she could really use a friend.”
Luck glanced away, uncertain. “I don’t know if she’d be interested. She's... not exactly the most social person.”
“Just one conversation,” Lila insisted, smiling in a way that felt slightly too earnest. She reached out and took his hand gently—a warm, friendly gesture, but one that held him in place. “You could say a few good things about me; maybe even mention that I wanted her number? I’ll do the rest!”
Luck looked down at her hand on his, a bit uncomfortable but trying not to show it. "Lila, it’s not that simple.”
She gave his hand a light squeeze, leaning in just a little closer. “Oh, come on, Luck,” she said softly, her voice dropping to a persuasive murmur. “You’re the only one who can help me with this. Don’t you think Miria deserves another friend? And I promise I’ll make it easy for you.”
Luck sighed, feeling cornered by her persistence and the way she held onto him. "I’ll think about it,” he replied finally, his voice carefully neutral. “But I’m not making any promises.”
Lila’s face lit up, and she released his hand, clapping her hands together in excitement. “Thank you! That’s all I ask,” she said with a bright smile. “I owe you, really.”
Luck gave a faint nod, watching as she turned to leave, her expression triumphant. As she walked down the hallway, Luck couldn’t help feeling a slight unease at the exchange but pushed it aside, telling himself it was just one favour.
The next day, the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day. Luck grabbed his things and turned toward Miria, who was already heading toward the door. He hesitated for a moment before calling out.
“Miria, are you just heading home?” Luck asked, his voice calm, but there was an almost imperceptible hint of expectation.
Miria paused and turned to look at him, her expression unreadable. “What’s it to you?” she replied, her usual bluntness surfacing.
Luck took a small breath, deciding to push forward. “I’ve got three free tickets to an all-you-can-eat place in town,” he said, holding up the tickets for her to see. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to come with me. I need three people to come with me to use them.”
Miria raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “What are you pulling at?”
Luck simply shrugged. “It’s an invitation. If you’re free, of course.” He knew she wasn’t the type to be easily swayed by an invitation, but something about the way she was approaching him made him think she might at least entertain the offer.
She tilted her head slightly, considering. “And are you inviting Dan, too?” she asked, her gaze sharpening as she crossed her arms.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Luck sighed, a small exhale of air escaping his lips. “About that... he’s already busy.”
The scene shifted for a moment, showing Dan in the dorm room, completely knocked out on his bed, headphones in, likely oblivious to the world. A few empty cans were scattered around, indicating he’d already shut down for the day, lost to whatever world he had retreated to.
Back in the hallway, Miria raised an eyebrow again. “Really? That’s convenient.”
Luck glanced back at her, his expression deadpan. “I guess.” He didn’t bother to explain further. It wasn’t like he owed her a justification. “So, who else am I supposed to invite?”
Before Miria could respond, Lila walked past, having overheard the conversation. She stopped and turned toward them with a bright smile. “Did I hear correctly? An all-you-can-eat offer?” she asked, her tone almost playful. “Well, count me in. I’m more than happy to come.”
Miria, who had been silently observing, gave Lila a fleeting glance, but her expression didn’t change. She didn’t respond to Lila’s cheerful interruption, nor did she acknowledge the offer beyond the quick, sharp look. She remained silent, her face expressionless, the usual cool detachment in place.
Luck glanced between the two girls, then looked back at Miria. There was something in the air, something that hinted at both girls’ expectations, though neither of them was saying much. It was almost as if Miria was silently debating the offer, but he wouldn’t let her back out now. “Well, that’s three,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of finality as he made the decision for them. learnt
Miria’s response came with a cool indifference. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll come.”
Luck raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by the lack of resistance. He had expected her to at least offer some sharp remark, but her response was flat. “Great. Let’s meet in the lobby at 6?” he asked, keeping his voice neutral, as though it didn’t matter to him either way.
Miria didn’t respond. Instead, her attention had already shifted elsewhere; her mind was clearly already off the conversation. Her eyes glanced briefly at the floor before she started walking toward the door without another word, her pace slow and deliberate.
Meanwhile, Lila flashed a wide smile at Luck, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “I’ll be there. You can count on me!” She winked playfully, as if already imagining the fun they’d have. “And thank you, Luck, for inviting me. I was just about to grab a snack, but this is way better.”
Luck just nodded in response, turning back to Miria, who had already exited the hallway. He couldn’t tell if she was genuinely uninterested or if it was just the usual wall she built around herself. Either way, he’d managed to get her to agree, which was more than he had expected when he started the conversation.
With Lila still beaming at him, Luck couldn’t help but wonder if this evening would go smoother than he thought. But then, a small part of him wasn’t so sure. He’d learnt by now that when it came to people like Miria, things never went exactly as planned.
The evening started with Luck standing in the dorm lobby, holding the three tickets in his hand, feeling the weight of the situation, though it wasn’t exactly what he’d call an exciting night out. At 6:05, Lila arrived, her bright smile immediately standing out as she practically bounced over to him. "I hope I’m not late!" she said, tilting her head playfully.
"No, you’re fine," Luck replied flatly, glancing over at Miria’s seat beside him, who hadn’t arrived yet.
A few moments later, Miria strolled in, her usual neutral expression in place. She didn’t look hurried but rather walked with a calm, deliberate pace, as if she had all the time in the world. “You’re not going to make a scene, are you?” Luck asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if accustomed to this usual state of affairs with her.
Miria shot him a quick look, her gaze as sharp as ever. “No promises.”
Lila, though, remained undeterred, still radiating an energy that seemed to contrast with the coolness of the other two. “So, are we ready to go?” she asked, giving Luck a pointed look for the evening to begin.
Once they reached the all-you-can-eat restaurant, the trio found a table; the atmosphere was slightly tense but manageable. Lila immediately dove into the menu, her enthusiasm palpable, while Luck stood silently, eyes scanning the options only to half-heartedly pick something. Miria barely glanced at the menu before muttering, "Anything but dessert."
Lila turned to Luck then. “What about you, Luck? No preferences?”
Luck shrugged, his answer as neutral as ever. “I’m fine with whatever.”
Miria raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “I didn’t expect you to care.”
As the food arrived, Lila tried to keep the conversation going, asking Miria about her interests and extracurriculars. Miria gave little in return, her answers brief and indifferent. Luck, though, said little—his focus was on the food in front of him. He wasn’t invested in the small talk but was aware enough to notice Lila’s growing frustration as she tried to engage Miria.
"So, Miria," Lila tried again, "do you ever hang out with anyone from our house?"
Miria barely looked up. “I prefer solitude. It’s easier that way.”
Luck, ever observant, saw the deadlock between Lila’s cheerful energy and Miria’s stony demeanor. He knew it wasn’t going to get any better but added, almost lazily, "Miria doesn’t socialise much. Doesn’t see the point in pretending."
Miria didn’t flinch at his bluntness, though she shot him a quick, cold glare before turning her attention back to her food. The conversation faltered again, and Lila’s smile wavered, though she didn’t give up.
As the meal came to an end, Luck was the first to rise, his quiet voice cutting through the lull. "It’s done. Let’s head out."
Miria followed suit, barely touching the dessert that had been brought to her. As they made their way to the door, however, Miria suddenly stopped, turning on her heel with a sharp gaze directed at Luck.
“This is too suspicious, Luck,” she said, her voice filled with barely contained irritation. “You think I wouldn’t notice? How convenient. Lila overhears, and then—surprise—there I am at this meal. It’s obvious.”
Lila blinked, confused by Miria’s sudden change in tone. "What do you mean?"
Miria’s cold eyes never left Luck’s. “This wasn’t a casual invitation, was it? A setup. You think I’m blind? If you wanted to make friends, fine, but don’t use me for your little schemes."
Lila’s attempt at keeping things light faltered completely as the atmosphere shifted. Luck remained calm, as usual, but the situation was clearly escalating beyond his expectations.
Miria took a step back, her tone now final. "I’m not some pawn for you to manipulate. If you want to interact, do it on your terms, not by setting people up.”
Without another word, she turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind her with an air of finality.
Luck and Lila stood in silence, the tension lingering in the air. Lila was the first to break it; her voice is a little softer now. “I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this. I thought if I just pushed a little... maybe I could get through to her.”
Luck didn’t respond right away. When he did, his voice was measured, without criticism, just an observation. “She’s perceptive.”
Lila sighed, offering a weak smile. “I’ll figure out another way to get through to her. Thanks for trying anyway, Luck. I really thought we could make it work.”
Luck merely nodded, his face unreadable. "Next time, try a different approach."
She gave him a small, apologetic smile. "I’ll keep that in mind."
As Lila made her way toward the door, Luck stayed seated for a moment, lost in thought. Miria had seen through it, and that had been the end of it. She wasn’t easily manipulated, and he had to give her credit for that. He didn’t expect things to play out this way, but it wasn’t exactly unexpected either. The night had been a strange mix of forced attempts at connection and the sharp reality of their differences. But even so, the evening wasn’t entirely wasted. There was a lesson in it, something to reflect on for the future.