The girls walked side by side as they headed to a nearby park to meet the rest of their friend group and they could go to a nearby shopping plaza. Arela, Rosie, and Alex stood in a circle waiting until they finally saw Valerian and Lily in the distance.

     "So, guess what I just heard about the final season of the show, 'Drills'." Arela became giddy as she looked at everyone's expression, each one anticipating the news. The book's ending left the group with mixed feelings and wanted something different for the show. "The author of the original book came back and decided to work with the director to make a new ending for the show". Everyone became elated at the perspective of a new ending and decided to buy the current season to catch up on what was happening, basically making a sleepover situation since tomorrow was a day off for them.

 

       The group spent hours picking out food and an extra movie just in case they wanted to see something else. Then, at the corner of her eye, Rosie saw Elis, and as she was nudging Valie to look. Giselle was beside him. It was unexpected, to say the least, but Giselle looked happy. Her appearance had improved as well, her complexion was no longer blotchy, her hair was held up in a ponytail, and there was a gleam in her eye when she looked up at him. Rosie did not know how to feel, but there was a sense of relief to see that a friend had gotten better.

          Valie saw Elis and Giselle, then saw Rosie's expression. She looked hopeful as if something good had happened, but only one thing went through Valie's head, "This'll be interesting". Rosie quickly twisted her head over to Valie and began to whisper, "Let's get out of here," as she pulled her away and out of sight. But, unbeknownst to them, Elis knew they were there.

          The group reunited as the sun was going down and they all showed the goods they had gathered. They all headed to the park, and just as they were turning to walk, face to face, Elis and Giselle, stood in front of them. The group was a mix of emotions, Alex and Arela were confused to see classmates outside of school, but Arela was a bit more annoyed. Lily was just in deep confusion. Rosie was awkwardly shuffling around and attempting to not look directly at the couple. Valerian stared blankly at nothing and then her emotions kicked in, and with a smile, " Uh... hi."   

        

           Giselle was casually talking to Rosie as if nothing ever happened between them, as if a horrible event was never even on the list of things why Rosie ever stopped talking to her, or why she went off the deep end. As they talked on the side, Alex was casually talking to Elis as Arela, Lily, and Valerian listened on. But, Valerian couldn't be helped and ignored the mundane situation as their voices became white noise. She focused on Rosie's lips trying to make out what she was saying, but she was never good at lip-reading, she focused on her mannerisms, but they all seemed positive and inviting to Giselle, nothing seemed to scream out 'help me". She then focused on Giselle, but, her mind was sidetracked. 

           Giselle in Valerian's mind was not a good person, she was stupid in her eyes, blotchy skin that gave her an unearthly allure, glistening eyes that gave a red hue, and a mismatch of loneliness and self-destruction. Valerian knew all this, but the girl she saw now, displayed little to no characteristics of what she described. She was a boring girl who just so happened to clean up because of some other boring guy. She didn't buy it. Giselle was not good enough for Rosie, she wasn't meant to change like this either, she wanted her back.

             Valerian quickly snapped out of her trance and looked at her phone, "Lily, the time. We need to get you home". As she said this, the concern in her voice and the volume were enough to catch Rosie's attention and led them both to rejoin the group. Elis then chimed in, "That's too bad, we should talk more when we have the chance. I don't have many friends as of yet". His face was like that of a puppy, his eyes gleaming as they looked up at them. The group collectively smiled and all agreed in their own way. Valerian then said 'hold on", as she rummaged through her bag and got out a box of sour candy. "Here, see it as a late, late...late, welcome present", she smiled a sweet smile as she extended her hand. Then, the wind blew furiously at the group, attacking every girl excluding Giselle and lily, whose hair was tied back. Hair flew up and twisted around, Valie's hair obstructed her view quite viciously as well as Elis who was standing beside her. Elis quickly grabbed portions of hair and stuck them behind her ear, not knowing what else to do as the wind died down. 

            Then, as the wind stopped, Elis held Valerian's face in his hands. She was bright red, but she let him comb back her hair. The group began to laugh as they saw Valerian's face, except for Giselle. She felt something in the pit of her stomach but decided to keep it down.  However, as this was happening, Lily saw something peculiar. Every time, Elis touched a strand of hair on Valies face, the hand that held the bags, twitched as it clenched harder into a fist. You could say she was about to pop a vein.

              The ordeal was over and Valie thanked Elis and then proceeded to give him the box of candy. Their hands touched and Elis didn't let go. Eye to eye, under a street lamp, it was like a love letter being exchanged. The scene was like out of a movie as the audience stood to look at them, but Giselle, finally felt her patience begin to break. 

           Giselle had finally managed to let go of Rosalia (Rosie), settling most things and just being acquaintances knowing she was never a good friend to Rosalia after all this time. She had Elis now, and that made her happy, but she felt the relationship could crumble if she missed a step, but the step being missed was not being done by her.

             Elis and Valerian let go and Giselle was beginning to stare more intently at Valerian.

"Hey, these are actually my favorite". Elis said enthusiastically.

"Well, I guess we have something in common," Valerian replied, shyly smiling at him.

           No one could look away from what was happening, but also, Giselle had only one thing crossing her mind.

"Please, don't...don't take him away".

             The couple and the group exchanged their goodbyes and went their separate ways. The group talked about how Elis seemed like a good guy and Giselle was changing for the better, it was as if Alex and Valie's first impression of him was wrong and they all agreed to give him a second chance. Then, as the group proceeded with their plans on having the sleepover, talking about what they would watch first, Valerian kept replaying Giselle's expression in her head. It was lovely, wishing she could see that little bit of anxiety again.