Theo blinked in disbelief.
"Shine?" he mumbled.
The girl grinned wide, her signature bright pink, shoulder-length hair swaying as she nodded.
Her bangs were still the same, just like her energy. Now she was dressed in a fitted AMSO uniform in steel blue color, looking more official… but no less chaotic.
"Yup! Still cute, still deadly, and still can't believe you went from chubby to tall, hot, and mysterious while I was stuck doing drills in the desert," she teased, stepping back just enough to scan him head to toe but still gripping his arm like they were best friends reunited after years.
Theo opened his mouth to say something, anything, but his eyes flicked past her. Over Shine's shoulder, Lexa was still watching.
Her gaze hadn't softened.
If anything… it had dimmed.
Theo swallowed hard, a flicker of hesitation passing through him. He wanted to approach her, at least say hello, but he wasn't sure if that was a good idea. Not after everything.
