A Love Meant To Be

Chapter 5

The planning session was well underway, and the whiteboard was covered in a chaotic scribble of notes, half-formed ideas, and several concepts that looked suspiciously like doodles rather than any kind of theme. Tessa was making wild hand gestures as she presented a color palette that Ryan swore resembled a fruit salad, while Raya stood with her arms crossed, eyebrow raised, trying not to laugh.

“Okay, so here’s my genius idea,” Tessa said, tapping a rainbow of neon highlighters across the board. “We go bold, okay? We make this festival unforgettable. Something a little… unconventional, right? We’ll blend traditional literary elements with modern, edgy vibes.”

Ryan glanced at the chart with a raised brow. “You’re suggesting we color-code our aesthetic based on highlighter shades?”

“I’m a visual learner,” Tessa replied, deadpan. “The brain absorbs color and tone first. You should know this. Literary Genius.”

Raya smirked. “Oh, so we’re going full ‘glow stick rave’ for the festival?”

“Exactly,” Tessa beamed, clearly oblivious to the sarcasm. “If we can’t have fun, then what’s the point?”

Ryan shook his head in amused disbelief. “I think we should stick with something a little more grounded. How about something like ‘Unwritten Stories’? Keeps it elegant, classic.”

“Yawn,” Tessa muttered, dismissing him with a dramatic wave of her hand. “We need flair, not ‘book club chic.’”

Raya laughed, the tension between her and Ryan momentarily forgotten. “I mean, it’s… a point.”

Just then, the door swung open, and Eli sauntered in with that grin of his, as if he'd been waiting for his dramatic entrance.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Festival Squad,” Eli said, flashing his trademark grin. “Am I interrupting anything important?”

Tessa immediately brightened. “Oh, good, finally a moment to breathe. Eli, tell these two that I’m a creative genius.”

Eli shot her a playful look. “I mean, you’re certainly something.”

Ryan leaned back in his chair, watching the interplay between Eli and Tessa with mild amusement. “Should I be worried?”

“Nah,” Eli said, sending a wink in Raya’s direction before plopping into the empty chair beside her. “I’m just here to help you two make some real magic happen. Plus, I heard you needed a dose of charm.”

Raya shot him a raised eyebrow but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “I’m good, thanks.”

Tessa leaned across the table toward Eli, lowering her voice dramatically. “She’s just being modest. You’ve got to get her to talk about the festival vision. It’s fire. She’s going to win us all an award or something.”

Ryan couldn’t help but notice the way Eli and Raya seemed to lock eyes in that moment. He didn’t flinch, but something did stir. A tinge of something. Maybe it was the unspoken energy between them. Maybe it was just how easily Eli made Raya smile.

“Well, well, I’m intrigued now,” Eli said, leaning in slightly. “So, are we going for an underdog hero or dark horse genius for the title of our masterpiece?”

Raya, completely unphased by his charm, gave a small, knowing smile. “I’d say we’re aiming for something unforgettable. Not just a festival. An experience.”

Tessa clapped her hands. “That’s what I’m talking about! You see, Eli? This is why Raya’s in charge.” She shot Ryan a sly grin. “No offense to Mr. Calm-and-Collected over there.”

Ryan wasn’t offended. But something inside him stirred, just a little. He didn’t let it show, though. Instead, he took a casual sip of his coffee, looking at the mess of notes and ideas.

“Alright, so what’s the next step?” Ryan asked, redirecting the conversation before it could spiral into something else.

Eli leaned back, throwing an arm casually around the back of Raya’s chair. “Well, I think we should start with the vibe. What’s the feeling we want people to walk away with? Not just ‘literary festival,’ but ‘oh-my-God-this-was-life-changing’ kind of vibe.”

Raya stared at him for a moment, clearly amused but also thoughtful. “I’m pretty sure we’re not curing existential crises here, Eli.”

“Speak for yourself,” Eli grinned, his gaze never leaving her. “But you know what I mean. It’s about creating something people won’t forget, something that sticks.”

Raya didn’t reply right away. Instead, she shifted her focus back to the board, her mind already racing with ideas. “Okay, but we have to make sure it’s grounded. We need something people connect with, not just a spectacle.”

“Right,” Ryan interjected smoothly, his eyes flicking over to Raya. “I agree with Raya. We need to find that balance—memorable, yes, but still meaningful.”

Tessa leaned back in her chair, eyes twinkling. “Look at you two, all serious. I’m loving this team dynamic. It’s like watching two magnets trying to figure out if they want to collide or keep it casual.”

Ryan ignored her, focusing on the ideas starting to take shape. “Okay, we need a solid plan. We’ll break up the responsibilities. Let’s focus on finding the right balance of theme, activities, and speakers. Let’s meet again tomorrow—”

“Wait,” Eli interrupted, sitting up straight. “I’m all for the delegation, but who gets to make the final call? We’re not just going to vote on this, right? I mean, we all have opinions.”

“I think we all know who’s running point here,” Tessa quipped with a grin, pointing at Raya. “She’s already got this thing mapped out in her head. Right, Captain?”

Raya looked up, lips curling into a smile that was pure mischief. “Maybe. But if anyone says ‘traditional’ one more time, I swear I’ll burn the agenda.”

Eli laughed, leaning back in his chair. “I like her.”

Ryan just watched the exchange, his expression unreadable.

“Raya’s Journal”

March 15, 10:43 PM.

I’m exhausted—but in that weird, buzzy way where my brain refuses to shut up.

We had our first real planning session today. Tessa’s energy is like a caffeine shot to the soul, Eli is… well, Eli. And Ryan? He’s more than I expected.

Not better. Not worse.

Just… more.

He has this maddening way of being calm when I’m bursting with a million thoughts. Like he’s always one step ahead, but not in a smug way. Just quietly watching. Measuring everything.

I used to think he was aloof. Detached.

Now I’m wondering if he’s just… careful.

Then there’s Eli—who flirts like it’s a reflex. And yeah, it’s fun. He’s fun. He doesn’t ask too much of me, just throws compliments like confetti and somehow makes everyone feel like the main character.

It should be easy to like someone like that. But something about it feels… loud. A little too bright. Like it sparkles, but it doesn’t burn.

Ryan, on the other hand?

He says very little. But when he does, it lands.

And maybe I hate that I notice.

I caught him watching me once today. Just for a second. Not in a weird way—just… observing. Like he was trying to figure something out. And the second I met his gaze, he looked away.

But I felt it.

I don’t know what I’m doing. With him. With this festival. With the weird flutter in my chest that happens when they both look at me like I’m someone important.

I told myself I’d prove I was meant to lead this.

But what if leading also means letting people in? Trusting them? Even the ones I didn’t choose?

Even the ones who got the title I thought was mine?

Whatever. It’s late. My thoughts are spiraling.

I’ll figure it out tomorrow.

For now…

Let them underestimate me.

I’m still the brightest flame in the room.

ℛ. ✧