Rewrite the stars with you

Chapter Six: Midnight Mischief

It was a quiet night in Becky’s small room. The warm glow of her bedside lamp illuminated her neatly stacked books, her freshly made bed, and her new smartphone resting on the desk. She had just finished brushing her hair and was about to tuck herself in when her phone buzzed.

*Ping!*

She glanced at the screen. A new w******p message. From Carlos.

Her eyes widened. *Carlos? Why is he messaging me?* Hesitantly, she opened the chat.

**Carlos:** “Hey, library girl. You awake?”

Becky frowned, debating whether to respond. She could already sense trouble, but curiosity got the better of her.

**Becky:** “It’s Becky. And yes, I’m awake. Why?”

**Carlos:** “Oh, sorry, *Becky.* Just wanted to say thanks for the presentation today. You totally saved the group. Professor Gracious looked impressed.”

Becky blinked. *Was he… being nice?* That was unexpected. She started typing a polite response.

**Becky:** “Thanks, but it was a group effort. Anil helped a lot too.”

Carlos’ reply came almost instantly.

**Carlos:** “Anil? Helped? Nah, he just stood there like a statue. Pretty sure I saw someone in the back row nodding off while he was talking.”

Becky frowned, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

**Becky:** “That’s not true. Anil did a great job. And at least he was willing to present, unlike some people.”

There was a pause before Carlos responded.

**Carlos:** “Ouch. Low blow, library—uh, Becky. You know, stage fright is a serious condition. My palms were sweaty just thinking about presenting.”

**Becky:** “Your palms looked fine when you were sipping coffee and smirking from the back row.”

Becky couldn’t help but smirk herself. She might be quiet in person, but behind a screen, she found her voice.

**Carlos:** “Touché. But hey, you’re the star of Group Five now. Everyone knows it. You’re like... the Hermione Granger of business presentations.”

**Becky:** “And you’re the Ron Weasley of excuses.”

Carlos sent a string of laughing emojis. Becky stared at her phone, surprised by how easily the conversation was flowing.

**Carlos:** “Alright, alright. You’re funny. I didn’t see that coming.”

**Becky:** “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Carlos.”

Carlos paused for a moment before replying.

**Carlos:** “Challenge accepted. Let’s see how much I can learn.”

Becky rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t deny she was a little amused. Still, she wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easily.

**Becky:** “If you’re serious, start by showing up for the next group meeting prepared. And maybe, just maybe, try contributing something.”

**Carlos:** “Wow, demanding much? But okay, deal. I’ll even bring snacks to the meeting.”

**Becky:** “Snacks don’t count as a contribution.”

**Carlos:** “Not even donuts?”

Becky sighed, shaking her head, but she couldn’t stop the small smile spreading across her face.

**Becky:** “Goodnight, Carlos.”

**Carlos:** “Goodnight, Hermione. Don’t let Anil boss you around too much.”

Becky locked her phone and leaned back against her pillow, her mind racing. Carlos was… something else. Annoying, yes. But also oddly charming in a way she hadn’t expected.

Meanwhile, across town, Carlos tossed his phone onto his bed, a smug grin plastered on his face. He looked over at Kirk, who was lounging on a beanbag in his room, playing a video game.

“She replied,” Carlos said triumphantly.

“Of course she did,” Kirk replied, not looking up from his game. “She’s too nice to ignore you.”

Carlos flopped onto his bed, hands behind his head. “I think I’m growing on her.”

Kirk snorted. “Doubt it. She’s just being polite. Don’t get cocky.”

Carlos smirked. “You’ll see. By the end of this project, Becky and I will be best friends.”

Kirk paused his game, turning to Carlos with a raised eyebrow. “Best friends? You’re delusional. But hey, if it means you stop making me do the group work, I’m all for it.”

Carlos laughed, grabbing his phone again. He opened Becky’s chat, re-reading their conversation. For the first time, he found himself genuinely curious about her.

“She’s not bad, you know,” Carlos muttered.

“Uh-oh,” Kirk said, smirking. “You’re catching feelings.”

Carlos threw a pillow at him. “Shut up.”

The two burst into laughter, and for a moment, Carlos forgot all about his usual antics. Becky, it seemed, was going to make this project more interesting than he’d anticipated.