As the picnic unfolded, Evily tried to focus on the light banter with Enzo, but the undercurrent of tension between him and Ace grew palpable. It was as if the air crackled around them, a storm brewing beneath the surface of their laughter.

  "Did you hear about the dance coming up next month?" Enzo asked, his tone blissfully carefree. "I'm thinking of asking someone special. Any tips, Ace?" His smile was bright, but Evily caught a flicker of something harder beneath it-competition.

  Ace, previously relaxed, straightened at the mention of the dance. "Yeah, I heard it's going to be a big deal. Just make sure you don't step on anyone's toes," he replied, his voice light yet firm. His green eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were silently assessing Enzo's every word.

  Evily felt torn, caught between the two boys-each representing different aspects of her heart. With Ace, there was a sense of unraveling truth and raw vulnerability, while Enzo offered buoyant humor and charm, a safety net that made her feel seen without the pressure of revealing too much. Yet, deep down, she sensed that their playful rivalry held a darker edge.

  "Maybe I'll ask you to dance, Ace!" Enzo laughed, nudging him playfully with his elbow. "If you're not too busy... you know... dazzling everyone with your smooth moves." The banter continued, light-hearted on the surface but heavy with implications.

  Evily watched the interplay, a storm of conflicting emotions surging within her. She smiled, but it was a tight-lipped smile, aware of the undercurrents swirling in the night. Ace's laughter, though genuine, had a hint of restraint, reflecting the unspoken challenge Enzo's playful words had thrown down.

  Just then, as if sensing the thickening tension, a soft rustle caught her attention near the trees bordering the park. A shiver ran down her spine, but when she turned to look, she saw only shadows playing among the branches-nothing out of the ordinary. Still, something felt off, as if the universe was trying to hint at something lurking beneath the surface of their ordinary evening.

  "Hey, Evily," Enzo continued, breaking the silence that followed her distraction. "You should really consider going to the dance with me. We'd have a blast!"

  Evily felt her heart race at the proposition. Enzo had always been the charming joker of their class, and although she appreciated his spirited charm, a deeper part of her longed for the gravity she felt with Ace. Yet, how could she possibly dent Enzo's affable demeanor?

  Before she could respond, Ace interjected, his voice smooth but anchored with firmness, "If Evily wants to go, it should be her choice. Besides, I thought she and Enzo had a place to visit.

  Before she could respond, Ace interjected, his voice smooth but anchored with firmness, "If Evily wants to go, it should be her choice. Besides, I thought she and Enzo had a place to visit." His gaze flickered toward the park’s edge, where the shadows seemed to sway with an enigmatic life of their own, as if urging him to say more. "I just want her to pick someone who values her for who she truly is," he added, his words laced with unguarded earnestness that made Evily’s heart flutter. The tension twisted tighter, leaving her caught in a web of unspoken feelings, with the weight of the moment hanging palpably in the air.