The school festival was alive with color and sound as evening settled over the grounds. Lanterns floated gently in the twilight sky, their soft glow reflecting in your eyes. The air smelled of sweet cotton candy, grilled skewers, and excitement.
Your food stall, decorated beautifully with fairy lights and paper lanterns, was busy but manageable. The three of you had formed a seamless rhythm—your best friend cracking jokes to entertain customers, the quiet friend expertly handling payments and supplies, and you at the center, basking in the warmth of their presence.
At one point, your best friend grabbed your hand mid-laugh, tugging you gently behind the stall. "Come on, you need a break."
You protested half-heartedly, but the firm yet tender grip was impossible to resist. They led you to a quieter corner near the festival's edge, where a circle of lanterns was waiting to be released into the sky.
The quiet friend followed, eyes soft but serious. "We thought you might want to try this."
You looked at the paper lantern in your hands, heart pounding. Each lantern was meant to carry a wish or a secret hope into the night sky — a tradition you hadn't experienced much before. But tonight, it felt different. Special.
Your best friend smiled warmly. "Make a wish. Whatever you want."
The quiet friend nodded. "We're here with you."
Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes and thought about your heart — the tangled feelings you were only just beginning to understand. The years of friendship, the pampering, the protection, and the quiet love that wrapped around you like a blanket.
You opened your eyes and whispered, "I wish… I could be with you both. Always."
The lantern floated upward, carried by the warm night air, glowing softly as it disappeared into the stars.
Your best friend's hand found yours again, fingers intertwining easily. "We want that too," they said quietly, eyes shining.
The quiet friend reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. "No matter what happens, you're not alone."
A sudden burst of fireworks lit up the sky, showering the festival in sparkling colors. You all watched in awe, hearts pounding in unison.
Suddenly, your best friend turned to you with a mischievous grin. "Hey, now that you're officially pampered by us, there's no backing out."
You laughed, the tension breaking, and felt lighter than you had in weeks.
But just then, a shadow flickered at the edge of the crowd — the confident upperclassman who had appeared earlier, watching from a distance with an unreadable expression.
Your best friend's smile tightened slightly. "Looks like the competition isn't giving up."
The quiet friend's protective gaze sharpened. "We'll face it together."
You looked at the two people who had always been your safe harbor — your childhood friends, your secret loves — and felt a surge of courage.
No matter what the future held, you knew one thing for certain: being pampered by those who truly loved you was the greatest gift of all.