Rewrite the stars with you

Chapter Ten: The Awkward Reconciliation & The Unexpected Friendship

Professor Gracious had once again dropped another group assignment on them, and Carlos was determined to use this as an opportunity to fix whatever weird tension had built between him and Becky.

But there was one problem.

Becky was still ignoring him.

As the group gathered in the library to discuss their assignment, Carlos tried his best to act mature and professional.

"Okay, guys, let’s focus," he said, clearing his throat. "We need a solid structure for this presentation."

Kirk snorted. "Damn, Carlos, when did you become a scholar?"

Jessy raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, where’s the guy who spent half the last project making dumb jokes?"

Carlos shot them both a glare before turning back to Becky.

"So, Becky," he said, his voice unusually serious. "What do you think?"

Becky flipped a page in her notebook without looking up. "Mmm."

Carlos blinked. "That’s it?"

Becky scribbled something down in her notes.

Carlos cleared his throat. "Are you still mad?"

Silence.

Carlos leaned in slightly. "Becky—"

Becky turned the page again.

Carlos’ patience snapped."You do realize I’m actually being serious this time, right?"

Becky sighed dramatically, then looked up. "Carlos, when were you ever serious?"

Kirk burst out laughing so hard he nearly fell off his chair. "SHE GOT YOU THERE, BRO!"

Carlos groaned and slumped in his chair. This was going to be harder than he thought.

---

After the discussion, Kirk took it upon himself to be the group’s official peacemaker.

He pulled Becky and Carlos aside, arms around both of them, grinning like a matchmaker.

"Alright, listen up, lovebirds—"

Carlos **instantly elbowed him in the ribs. "We’re NOT lovebirds."

Becky made a disgusted face."Ew, no."

Kirk grinned."Suuuuure."

Carlos crossed his arms. "I don’t need to apologize. She slapped me in front of the entire cafeteria. That was public humiliation."

Becky rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you deserved it."

Kirk sighed dramatically. "Okay, clearly, this is going nowhere."

Jessy, standing nearby, chuckled. "Let’s just leave them alone. They’ll figure it out eventually."

Kirk shook his head. "This is painful to watch."

---

After the study session, Anil tried to be a gentleman.

"Becky, do you want a ride home?"

Carlos perked up instantly."Wait, you drive?"

Anil scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, no. I… I ride my bicycle."

Carlos nearly choked."Hold up—so you were about to offer Becky a ride… ON A BICYCLE?"

Kirk died laughing."Bro, are you about to put her in the front basket like E.T.?"

Jessy howled, "Anil, you’re adorable, but how exactly were you planning to drop her home?"

Becky glared at Carlos."At least he has manners."

Carlos smirked. "Manners won’t protect you when you fall off the back of a bicycle at 40 miles per hour."

Becky sighed, "I’m taking a taxi."

Carlos grinned."What about me? Can I take you home?"

Becky gave him a cold, blank stare.

Carlos cleared his throat. "Okay, that’s a no."

Jessy smirked. "I’ll take you home, Becky."

Becky hesitated but then nodded. "Fine."

Carlos’ jaw dropped. "WHAT?! You’ll take a ride from Jessy but not me?"

Jessy flipped her hair. "Unlike you, Carlos, I don’t bully her. Plus, I’m a fantastic driver."

Becky nodded. "And she doesn’t ride bicycles."

Carlos groaned as Jessy dragged Becky towards her car.

Kirk patted Carlos’ back. "Damn, bro. You just lost to Jessy."

---

Jessy’s car smelled like vanilla and new leather. Becky settled in the passenger seat, expecting an awkward ride, but surprisingly, Jessy turned out to be good company.

"So,"Jessy said as she started driving. "I get it. You’re an introvert, right?"

Becky nodded. "Yeah. You’re obviously an extrovert."

Jessy grinned. "Opposites attract, but I think we have more in common than you’d expect."

Becky raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Jessy smirked. "For one, I bet you love watching GL series."

Becky’s eyes widened."Wait, YOU watch them too?"

Jessy gasped. "Of course! I’m obsessed. ‘The Girlfriend Effect’ is literally my comfort show!"

Becky gasped back."Me too!"

Jessy squealed, "I knew it! Okay, what about music? You like Little Mix?"

Becky grinned."I love them."

Jessy dramatically clutched her chest."Oh my God, Becky, we were meant to be friends."

Becky laughed. "I didn’t expect this, but… yeah, I think we actually have a lot in common."

Jessy smirked."Okay, but here’s the real test. Horror movies or action movies?"

Becky’s face lit up."Both!"

Jessy slammed her hands on the steering wheel."I KNEW IT! You’re my new favorite person!"

The car ride turned into a full-on bonding session.

By the time they reached Becky’s house, Jessy had already made plans for them to binge-watch GL dramas, blast Little Mix, and have horror movie marathons.

Becky never thought she’d be friends with someone like Jessy.

But as she waved goodbye and watched Jessy’s car disappear down the road, she realized—

Maybe this was the beginning of a real friendship.