The days following Clara’s conversation with Samantha were filled with anticipation. Clara meticulously planned the birthday party, down to every detail. The farmhouse had already been booked, and now all that was left was getting Mark and Jason on board. It was a gamble—she knew they had been turning down invites left and right from girls who were just as eager as she was—but this wasn’t just any invite. They had history. She was banking on that.

Friday afternoon arrived, and the campus hummed with the typical end-of-week excitement. Clara spotted Mark and Jason lounging outside the library, flipping through some old textbooks, pretending to study. Her heart raced. The time had come.

“Hey, guys!” Clara called out, plastering on her most casual smile as she approached them.

Jason looked up first, flashing her that familiar grin she’d known since they were kids. But behind that grin, something was different—something that had been there for a while, only Clara had refused to see it. His eyes weren’t on her anymore; they were always on Samantha. It gnawed at her, knowing he’d developed feelings for her younger sister. The realization made Clara’s plan all the more urgent.

Jason was the same boy Clara and Samantha had known since they were little, with that same infectious smile and kind heart that made him one of the few people Clara still trusted. But now, when his eyes lit up, they weren’t for her anymore. They were for Samantha. He thought no one noticed the way he acted differently around her, the subtle change in his voice, or the extra care he took when speaking to her. But Clara saw it all.

“Clara, what’s up?” Jason asked, his carefree tone masking the slight nervousness that crept in whenever Samantha’s name came up.

Mark glanced up as well, giving a slight nod, but his attention quickly drifted back to his book. Clara felt a pang in her chest but shook it off. He’ll be paying attention soon enough, she told herself.

“So, listen,” Clara began, leaning against the table they sat at. “You guys remember the old farmhouse out on Briar Lane? The one we used to hang out at during summers when we were kids?”

Jason’s face lit up, clearly nostalgic, but Clara noticed the way his smile dimmed just a little. He was probably thinking about how close he used to be to both sisters, but now things were different. Clara didn’t mind what had happened in the past—what mattered was the present, and in the present, he liked Samantha.

“Yeah, I remember! That place was awesome. You’re not seriously thinking about going there again, are you?”

Clara smiled. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. It’s my birthday this weekend, and I thought it’d be fun to have a small party there. Just the four of us. No distractions, no annoying crowds. Just like old times.”

Jason exchanged a glance with Mark, who had now set his book down. Mark raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Clara could sense his hesitation, so she leaned in closer, lowering her voice just enough to sound persuasive.

“Come on, it’ll be fun. We’ve barely hung out this year, with everyone being so busy. Plus, it’s been ages since we went to that place. You guys wouldn’t say no to your childhood friends, would you?”

Jason chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “I mean, it does sound fun, but you know how it is. We’ve been turning down so many invites lately—just been swamped with work and stuff.”

Clara’s smile didn’t falter. “Exactly. Which is why this is perfect. A chance to unwind. No one else but us.”

Jason softened a little, and she noticed it wasn’t because of her. It was because of Samantha. Clara could see the way his eyes lit up at the thought of spending time with her sister. A mix of jealousy and frustration stirred within her, but she kept it hidden beneath her composed facade. This is exactly why she had to go through with her plan—things between Jason and Samantha had already gone too far.

Mark crossed his arms, staring at her thoughtfully. “So… just us four? No one else?”

Clara nodded. “Yep. Just the four of us. Samantha’s already in. She can’t wait.”

There was a brief silence as the two guys weighed the offer. Clara held her breath, her heart thudding in her chest. Finally, Jason cracked another grin.

“Alright, I’m in,” he said, nudging Mark with his elbow. “What do you say, man? It’s Clara’s birthday. We can’t say no.”

Mark sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Fine. But I’m not drinking too much. We’ve got finals coming up.”

Clara’s smile widened in triumph, but she kept her voice even. “No worries. It’s going to be a laid-back night.”

The invitation set the wheels in motion, and Clara spent the next few days finalizing the details. She coordinated with Samantha, ensuring everything was ready for the party. Clara couldn’t stop her mind from wandering, imagining how the night would unfold. She knew the dynamics between the four of them had shifted over the years. Jason and Mark had both grown into attractive, confident guys, and their refusal to date anyone had made them a subject of curiosity around campus.

But Clara knew why they were so reserved. They didn’t want just anyone.

Jason had already made his choice, though he didn’t know how to act on it. And Mark—well, Clara wasn’t sure if he even realized how much people admired him. She wondered what went on in his head, but Mark had always been the quieter one, more thoughtful. While Jason had a magnetic personality, Mark was introspective and calm, making him harder to read.

The girls on campus had tried countless times to get close to them, but every single time, they were turned down politely. It wasn’t arrogance—it was something else, something deeper. Jason and Mark didn’t play games with people’s emotions. They were kind-hearted, but they weren’t easy to sway. That’s why Clara had to be careful. This wasn’t about manipulating them; it was about reminding them of their bond.

Samantha, on the other hand, was oblivious to the subtle tension surrounding her. She remained excited about the party, thinking it was just another chance to unwind. But Clara saw the way Jason watched her when he thought no one was looking. It was enough to make Clara’s stomach twist with jealousy, but she kept her composure.

Saturday night came faster than expected. The four of them piled into Jason’s car and set off for the farmhouse. As the city’s lights faded in the rearview mirror, Clara felt a strange anticipation build in her chest. The farmhouse was isolated, surrounded by woods that seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness. It had always been a fun place to hang out as kids, but tonight it felt different. Something about the quiet, the way the shadows crept through the trees, made the air feel heavier.

The party hadn’t even started yet, but Clara could sense the shift in the atmosphere.