Bryden adjusts the collar of his jean jacket and pulls up his sleeves as he stares at himself in the mirror. “How do I look? Is it too fancy? Too casual?”

The genie laughs. “Why are you dressing up to impress? I thought this wasn’t a date, you said.”

“Of course it is,” Bryden insists. “I just told Nora it wasn’t just so that she and Rory would stay away.”

“Didn’t she also say that if she hears that you made any moves on Miss Lin, she would—”

“Oh, relax. It’s not like I’m going to do anything too forward. I’m just using this as an opportunity to get, you know, closer to her. Let her naturally fall for me without me needing to do much! If she already likes me and confesses first, I wouldn’t be the one making the first move, would I?”

The genie sighs, covering his face. “You are insane.”

Bryden ignores him, focused on examining himself in the mirror. “Hmm… nah, this looks like I’m trying too hard.” He moves to his wardrobe to pick out a different outfit. He dons a black flap pocket jacket and scrutinizes himself in the mirror once again. “Nah, this looks too casual.” He changes into an ivory jumper. “This one’s way too plain.” After trying on many more clothes, he sighs and picks up the jean jacket he first tried on. “You know what, I’m just going to go with this.” He puts it on and tidies up his hair. “Hey, how does my hair look?” When there is no response, he darts his eyes around the room, unable to find the genie. He rolls his eyes and scoffs. “Whatever. I know that I look amazing no matter what. Now, where’s my cologne?”

Bryden arrives at Marla’s a little after seven. The café is decorated with an array of colorful balloons, garlands, banners, and flowers. He spots Jessica in the crowd inside and waves to her.

“Oh, hey, Bryden!” she greets him with a smile. “We’re just getting started!” She furrows her brows, leaning a little closer to sniff him. “Is that cologne?”

“Oh, yeah.” Bryden leans back, stretching himself out, and grins. “It’s a new cologne I bought. Does it smell nice?”

“Hmm… I guess.” Jessica turns to her side when claps sound from all around. Her face brightens up and she hurries to the opposite direction.

Bryden scratches the back of his head, sighing. Welp, off she goes.

A group of staff surround a woman who carries a chocolate cake with a candle lit. She sets the cake on the table in front of Liv. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…”

Bryden joins in the song, but his attention lies elsewhere. His eyes remain locked onto Jessica on the opposite end of the café, her beaming face bringing a smile on his face.

“Hooray!” Jessica shouts, clapping. “Happy birthday, Liv!”

Liv smiles at her and everyone around her. “Thank you so much, everyone. Not only for planning this celebration, but for all your efforts working here. Now, come on. Let’s celebrate!” She cuts up the cake into slices and begins serving them.

Confetti and streamers scatter through the air as Bryden waves away the pieces that fall near his face. He grabs a plate to get a slice of birthday cake. After he does so, he scans the plates of mouthwatering desserts lying on every table and takes some to enjoy. As he takes bites out of his cake, his eyes can’t help but dart around the room. Come on, Bryden. I know the food’s good, but you came here for Jessica. Gosh, there are so many people here. Where is she? 

At that thought, a familiar girl’s laughter sounds from across the room. Bryden perks his head up, seeing Jessica laughing and smiling with a group of people. Ah, there she is, but I can’t just walk up to her randomly, not with this many people here. I’ve got to find the right moment… alone.

About ten minutes later, Jessica picks up a plate of cheesecake from a table near his. He straightens his back, fumbling his fingers and reluctant to speak. “H-Hey, Jessica.”

She turns to him with a smile. “Oh, hey again, Bryden.”

Bryden blushes, taking a bite out of his cupcake to curb his awkwardness. “The food’s pretty good, huh?”

She nods in agreement. “It is. Have you eaten the lava cake yet?”

He shows her an empty plate while grinning, proud of himself. “I finished every last crumb of it.”

Jessica chuckles, taking a bite out of her cheesecake. “You must love lava cake very much.”

“Well, only ’cause you asked me to try it.” Bryden thinks for a moment. “Oh, I remember you saying that you’re into graphic design, right? That’s your major?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“So… what made you get into graphic design? You said that when you were a kid…”

“Yes, I’ve been drawing ever since I was little. I didn’t think that it’d be a lucrative career, but my parents supported me and my passion for the arts. So I majored in graphic design and haven’t regretted it since. I’ve had a lot of fun in my classes, and I’m even more excited for what awaits after graduation…” She pauses, placing a finger against her chin. “What about you? What made you major in finance?”

“Oh, well…” He shrugs. “I didn’t know what major to choose, so my parents told me to just go with finance. I was never really passionate about anything like you are.”

“Oh…” Jessica purses her lips and hesitates. “Well, I mean, finance isn’t such a bad major, right? Learning about banking and investing… it sounds pretty interesting.”

Bryden raises an eyebrow. “That sounded really forced coming out of your mouth.”

Her eyes widen, and she insists, “No, I mean it! It really is—”

“It’s okay. I don’t enjoy finance at all. I’m majoring in that just so that I can get a decent job with good pay.”

She bites her lip. “Are you really… okay with having such a boring job for the rest of your life?”

He shrugs. “Doesn’t everyone have a boring job? I mean, it can’t be that bad. My parents are working corporate jobs and they’re doing fine. Not all of us have passions or are destined to live the dream of a rich and famous superstar.” Unless that so-called genie of mine actually granted me my wish to be rich. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

She opens her mouth to say more, but someone taps on her shoulder and she gasps and turns around to leave.

“W-Wait, Jessica!” Bryden tries to stop her, but she doesn’t hear him with her back turned to him. He heaves a sigh, covering his eyes. Man, Jessica sure is popular. She doesn’t stay and talk to just one person for too long. Then how am I supposed to get her to like me? Should I just cut to the chase and go for it, just ask her out? No, I can’t. In some way or another, Nora and Rory will find out… but who cares about them, anyway? Screw it, I’m asking her out—

A girl laughs from nearby. Her laugh is soft and gentle, but it still captures Bryden’s attention, who straightens up in an instant. A tall, young boy with messy black hair laughs along with Jessica. Bryden’s eyes widen, a pang of jealousy flaring up inside of him. Who the hell is that guy? Jessica told me that she never had a boyfriend before, but she did mention that many boys were into her. Oh, no. That guy must be into her, isn’t he? But… she’ll reject him, won’t she? He looks nothing like the “cuddly, warm teddy bear” of her dreams. He looks like an aggressive, cold, mean old man that tries to act all tough. Jessica would never like a guy like—

The boy whispers something into her ear, making her laugh. Bryden grits his teeth, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles go white. He may not be a “teddy bear,” but he sure does make her laugh. Jessica likes funny guys, huh. He grabs a cookie to munch on on his way across the room. I have to talk to her again.

“Hey, Jessica,” he says, walking up to her. “Who was that guy you were talking to before? I don’t think I’ve seen him around before.”

Jessica turns around. “You mean Wesley?” She points to him. “He’s one of the chefs.”

Bryden unconsciously clenches his fists again. “So he’s a pretty cool guy, huh.”

She shrugs. “He doesn’t seem too bad. I don’t talk to him very much. Whenever I do, though, he cracks the funniest jokes. He always manages to bring a smile to everyone’s lips.” Something from the other side of the room captures her attention. “Ooh, more lava cake!” She hurries along to that table, as if worried that the food might run out.

“J-Jessica!” Bryden covers his face, groaning. He slumps down at a nearby table, muttering to himself, “Ugh, she left again. What the hell am I supposed to do? Whenever I go up to her and try to talk to her, we just have the simplest conversation and she leaves. Does she think I’m boring? I only know how to flirt—I don’t know how to be funny. That Wesley guy was totally into her too. She may not like him now, but guys like him who can make a girl laugh are keepers. Ugh, I wish I could be funny like that guy. Then I’d be able to make her laugh too.”