BETWEEN TWO HEARTS.

CHAPTER THREE; Tomorrow turns seventeen

"Some days look ordinary until they become the memories you carry forever."

The lunch bell had barely stopped ringing before the hallways filled with voices again.

Students drifted from the cafeteria in groups, some laughing loudly, others already complaining about the afternoon classes waiting for them.

Davi and Aya walked side by side toward their lockers, taking their time while the crowd flowed around them.

Aya adjusted the sleeves of her oversized hoodie before glancing sideways.

"You know what I realized?"

Davi looked at her.

"What?"

"We've survived almost eleven years of school."

"...Is that supposed to make me feel old?"

"No." Aya paused dramatically. "It's supposed to make us deserve a vacation."

Davi laughed.

"A vacation from school?"

"A vacation from people."

"I thought you liked people."

"I like specific people."

"And everyone else?"

"They're... loud."

Davi nodded thoughtfully.

"I can respect that."

Aya bumped her shoulder lightly.

"You've rubbed off on me."

"I warned you."

"No, you didn't."

"I was quiet about it."

Aya stopped walking and stared at her.

"...That was terrible."

"I know."

"I can't believe I laughed."

"You absolutely did."

"I hate you."

"You'll recover."

Aya sighed dramatically.

"I really need a better best friend."

"You've been saying that since we were ten."

"And somehow, you're still here."

"I think you're stuck with me."

Aya smiled.

"Yeah."

"I think I am."

The hallway grew busier as another class emptied.

Someone called Henry's name from the other end of the corridor.

Without even looking, Davi knew he'd answer.

He always did.

A second later—

"Morning, Morgan!"

"Hey!"

"You coming to practice?"

Henry answered three different people before finally reaching his locker.

Ethan followed a step behind, hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie.

Unlike Henry, he never seemed in a hurry to speak.

He listened.

Observed.

Then said exactly what needed to be said.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Henry struggled with his locker before finally getting it open.

"You're famous," Ethan said.

Henry looked offended.

"I'm beloved."

"There's a difference?"

"A huge one."

"You've made both words mean the same thing."

"I have talent."

"You have an ego."

Henry placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

"Ethan..."

"What?"

"I thought you supported me."

"I do."

"You just insulted me."

"I supported you honestly."

Aya let out a laugh.

"I forgot how funny you two are together."

Henry grinned proudly.

"Thank you."

"I wasn't talking about you."

Henry froze.

"...Excuse me?"

"I meant Ethan."

Ethan looked slightly confused.

"Me?"

"Your jokes sneak up on people," Aya said with a shrug. "You look serious, then suddenly you say something completely unexpected."

Henry sighed dramatically.

"So I'm not the funniest anymore."

"You were never the funniest."

"I walked right into that."

Davi shook her head.

"Yes. Yes, you did."

Henry shook his head.

"Unbelievable."

Ethan simply smiled.

Small.

Quiet.

The kind of smile that appeared before disappearing just as quickly.

"Speaking of unbelievable," Henry announced, closing his locker with more force than necessary.

"Nobody forgets tomorrow."

Aya folded her arms.

"How could we?"

"You reminded us during first period."

"And second."

"And lunch," Ethan added.

Henry ignored him.

"My point is..."

He spread his arms like he was making an important announcement.

"...tomorrow is the official birthday celebration of the greatest twins ever born."

"There are only two of you," Davi replied.

"Exactly."

Aya nodded seriously.

"The competition wasn't very intense."

Henry pointed at both girls.

"This is bullying."

"No," Ethan corrected.

"This is honesty."

"I need new friends."

"You say that every week."

"I mean it every week."

"You still show up."

Henry sighed.

"...That's a fair point."

The final afternoon classes dragged by.

Mathematics felt longer than usual.

History wasn't much better.

By the time the last bell rang, the entire school seemed to breathe at once.

Students rushed toward the exits, already talking about weekend plans.

Outside, the autumn air was cooler than it had been that morning.

Leaves rolled lazily across the sidewalk as the parking lot slowly emptied.

Henry slung his basketball bag over one shoulder.

"You two heading home?"

Davi nodded.

"As usual."

"I've got practice."

"We know."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

Aya smiled.

"It's only the fourth time you've mentioned it today."

"Really?"

"Really."

Henry looked at Ethan.

"Was it four?"

Ethan didn't even hesitate.

"Five."

Henry blinked.

"You counted?"

"I got bored after the third."

Davi laughed before she could stop herself.

It wasn't loud.

Just enough for Henry to hear.

"There it is!" he said triumphantly.

"What?"

"You laughed."

"I do that sometimes."

"Not at my expense."

"You'll survive."

"That's what everyone keeps saying."

A car horn sounded from the front gate.

Aya looked toward the parking lot.

"My ride's here."

She turned back to Davi.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"You better."

"I wouldn't miss free cake."

"You've got your priorities straight."

"Always."

Aya leaned closer.

"And happy birthday..."

"You too."

"...in advance."

Davi smiled warmly.

"Thanks."

Aya waved before jogging toward the waiting car.

For the first time that day...

The crowd felt quieter.

Henry had already wandered off toward the gym, still talking about basketball.

"Ethan!" he called from halfway across the courtyard.

"You coming?"

"In a minute."

Henry gave him a thumbs-up before disappearing inside.

Davi adjusted the strap of her backpack.

"I should probably go too."

"Yeah."

For a moment...

Neither of them moved.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It simply... existed.

Peacefully.

Ethan looked toward the trees lining the school entrance.

"The weather's changing."

Davi glanced up.

"The leaves are starting to fall."

"My mom says autumn always arrives quietly."

She smiled.

"That sounds nice."

He nodded.

"It does."

Another brief silence settled between them.

Then...

"Happy birthday."

She looked at him.

"It's tomorrow."

"I know."

"I just wanted to be first."

For reasons she couldn't explain...

That made her smile.

"A little early, don't you think?"

"Maybe."

"But now no one can beat me."

She laughed softly.

"I guess they can't."

Henry's voice echoed from somewhere inside the gym.

"Ethan!"

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I should go."

"Before he comes looking for you."

"He probably will."

They both laughed.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Davi."

"Tomorrow."

He turned and jogged toward the gym.

Davi stood there for another second before walking toward the school gate.

She wasn't thinking about birthdays.

Or cake.

Or presents.

She was thinking about something much smaller.

Someone had wanted to be the first person to wish her a happy birthday.

It was a tiny thing.

Almost forgettable.

Yet somehow...

It stayed with her the entire walk home.