“How do you think they’re doing?” Mia asked, standing next to Elias in a pretty long line. They had chosen the longest line they could find, hoping to give the other two some time to talk.

“Jamie can’t stand awkward silences, so I’m sure they’ll be fine.” Elias patted her head. “Do we even know what they’re selling on this line? Maybe we should have checked first.”

“Where’s your adventurous spirit?” Mia laughed. “So, are we really setting them up? I mean, we wanted them to be friends, but now it really feels like we’re totally setting them up.” She crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a sigh that Elias could only interpret as guilt.

“We’re just trying to get them to open up. They have been kinda stiff all night and hiding behind us. We’re not setting anyone up.”

“But you said Jamie took a liking to Citara.” Mia looked up at the tall boy, who only eyed her from the corner of his eyes.

“Yeah, but Jamie knows better than to start a new relationship when he’s still healing from his last breakup.” Elias pushed his glasses up. “Even if he insists that his new feelings outweigh the breakup, he’ll still take his time to get to know Citara.” He reassured the girl next to him.

“I guess…” Mia lifted a hand to her mouth in thought. “To be honest, I don’t know what to expect from Citara. She’s a nice girl, but I haven’t known her for that long. She was already going out with that guy when she started working at the bar, so I don’t know how she would react if someone approached her.”

“Well, I’d like to think I’ve raised Jamie to be a gentleman.”

“Pfft, raised?” Mia laughed. “What are you? His dad?”

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m the mature one.” He smirked.

“Yes, very mature of you to show off.” Mia elbowed his side.

***

Jamie fiddled with his hands, taking a glance of the girl sitting next to him. She had scooted closer, close enough to feel her warmth against his side and his face was having a hard time controlling his own heat. 

“So!” He gasped when he realized how loud he had been, even drawing the attention of those passing by. He cleared his throat. “S-So, you’re a musician huh?”

“I guess.” Citara smiled. “I like playing music, but it’s more of a hobby.”

“Why? You have such an amazing voice.” Jamie said, looking up at her.

“Thank you.” She giggled. How was it that her every move made his heart beat faster? “Well, I’m grateful to Madame Moon for allowing me to sing there from time to time.”

“You should tell me when you’re going to sing. Two weeks ago we went but you didn’t sing-” He looked away, his face flushed. “I mean, we went to see Mia, but we were also hoping to hear you sing.” He said almost too quickly.

“I don’t really have a set schedule, so even the regulars don’t know when I’ll sing. But thank you either way.”

“N-Not at all!” He flailed his hands in front of himself. “That song from back then… I guess it left a big impression on me.” Jamie let out a weak laugh. “I had just ended a relationship, so the song made me feel a little better.”

“... I’m sorry to hear that.”

Jamie shook his head. “If it’s not meant to be it’s better like this right?” He smiled. “I just think your song was right on time, so thank you.”

Citara looked down, her hands on her knees. “You know? I lied about not singing it from personal experience.” She reached for a strand of hair that fell over her face, twirling it in her finger. “I got dumped a few weeks ago and I’m still bitter about it.”

The blood running through his veins now boiled, and his face colored not out of shyness but out of indignation.

“Why?” He asked dryly.

“Why was I dumped?” Citara blinked, then shrugged. “Short version is, I’m not girly enough.” She faked a laugh.

“That’s bullshit!” Jamie shot up, this time, not caring if his voice was loud. “You’re plenty girly! And cute too!” He fumed.

She looked at the boy standing in front of her with wide eyes before letting out a laugh, a sincere, heartfelt laugh.

“W-What’s so funny?” 

“N-Nothing.” Citara managed to say between laughs. “It’s just that- I don’t get compliments like that often.”

“Well you should…” Jamie said after taking a deep breath, running a hand through his hair.

“So why were you dumped?” She asked him once she had controlled her laughing.

“Me? Oh- Well-” He pursed his lips.

“Oh, I’m sorry! You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to!”

“No… It’s alright.”

***

Buying food had taken longer than they had expected, but by the time Elias and Mia returned with arms full of corn dogs, candy apples, churros and other definitely not healthy snacks, they found Jamie and Citara laughing in each other's company.

Mia stopped dead on her tracks, surprised at the complete change in atmosphere from when they had abandoned the pair. 

“Looks like some time alone really broke the ice.” Chuckled Elias next to her.

“You can say that again.” She giggled. “Thanks.”

“For what?” Elias looked down at her, who was still looking at the odd pair ahead of them.

“For being our friends.” But before he could answer, she ran towards the other two. “Jamie! Citara! Look at all we got!”

Elias looked at the three from afar, his expression growing soft and comfortable. There was this warm feeling growing inside him as he saw them smiling and laughing. For just a moment, Mia’s mask had fallen, he could tell the smile right now was truly hers.

Maybe the comfortable feeling on his face was that his own mask had fallen off, even if just for that night.