The sweet shop at the academy's town center was always busy.
Nut today it seemed to hum with an unusual warmth.
Aromas of sugar and freshly baked pastries wafted through the air as Ariana sat at their usual table near the window with her closest friends, Clara and Eliza.
The sunlight filtered through the panes, casting soft shadows on the table piled with desserts—bright macarons, frosted cupcakes, and a plate of Ariana's favorite chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Eliza was the first to speak, breaking the quiet as she poked at a slice of berry tart with her fork.
"So... Noah Ashbourne is back..."
She said, a sly grin curling at her lips.
Clara immediately perked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Oh, you mean the academy's resident dark cloud of doom?"
She teased, popping a lemon macaron into her mouth.
Ariana rolled her eyes, trying to stifle a small smile.
He wasn't missing, you both know that..."
Clara and Eliza exchanged a glance.
One of those knowing, silent exchanges that only longtime friends could pull off.
"Well, either way..."
Eliza chimed in, her tone light.
"...it's good he's okay, I guess.
For all his... charm, I wouldn't wish anything bad on him."
Clara laughed, but there was a softness to it.
"True. Even the most obnoxious guy in the academy deserves a little goodwill now and then."
Ariana let out a small hum of agreement, sipping from her cup of tea.
She wasn't about to admit it, but she'd caught herself thinking the same thing recently.
Sure, Noah was rude, arrogant, and seemed to relish making everyone's lives miserable, but there was something about him that had felt... reassuring.
"Well, well, well..."
Clara said, leaning forward with an impish smirk.
"Speaking of Noah, there's something I've been meaning to ask."
Ariana froze, a forkful of strawberry halfway to her mouth.
Eliza joined in, her grin widening.
"You've been acting... different lately."
Ariana asked cautiously, narrowing her eyes.
Clara and Eliza exchanged another glance before Clara answered, her tone playful.
"Oh, you know, like someone who's got a thing for a certain moody noble."
Ariana nearly choked on her strawberry.
"What?! Are you insane?
Me? And Noah? Absolutely not!"
Eliza giggled, leaning back in her chair.
"Come on, Ari. We're your best friends.
"There's nothing to tell!"
Ariana exclaimed, her cheeks flushing.
"Noah Ashbourne is the last person I'd ever be interested in."
Clara said, her voice dripping with mock disbelief.
"Because I distinctly recall you looking a little... thoughtful when his name comes up every time."
Ariana crossed her arms, glaring at both of them.
"You're imagining things."
Eliza said with a wink.
"But you can't fool us, Ari.
You've been distracted lately, and it's not because of tests."
For a moment, the table descended into laughter as Clara and Eliza continued to tease Ariana.
But as the laughter died down, the mood shifted, and Ariana found herself staring down at her plate.
"Okay, fine. I'll admit something."
Clara and Eliza leaned in, their expressions eager.
"I've thought about him..."
Ariana said slowly, her voice quieter now.
"But it's not... like that."
Clara asked, her tone more serious.
Ariana hesitated, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her napkin.
"It's just... I don't know.
I thought maybe I liked him for a moment, but it's not that.
It's more like... I feel bad for him."
Eliza echoed, frowning.
Ariana said, nodding slightly.
"He might be rude and arrogant, but... he's also alone.
I don't know how to explain it, but I can tell he's going through something.
He's always been so... guarded, you know? Like he's carrying everything by himself."
Clara and Eliza exchanged a glance again, but this time, their expressions were thoughtful.
"That's... sweet of you..."
"Most people wouldn't bother to look past his attitude."
"Maybe," Ariana replied.
"But it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything special.
I just... notice things, I guess."
Clara leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she looked at Ariana.
"You're a good person, Ari.
But you've got to remember that everyone's dealing with something.
It doesn't excuse the way he treats people."
Ariana nodded, her gaze fixed on the table.
"I know. It's just... I can't help but wonder if anyone's ever really been there for him.
Clara's expression softened, but there was a hint of steel in her voice as she spoke.
"That might be true, but at the end of the day, it's up to him to change.
You can't fix someone who doesn't want to be fixed, Ari."
"I'm not trying to fix him..."
"I just... I don't know. I guess I feel sorry for him."
Eliza reached out, placing a hand on Ariana's arm.
"You've got a big heart, Ari.
Everyone goes through things.
It's how you handle it that matters."
Clara nodded, her tone more serious now.
"And let's be honest—Noah doesn't exactly make it easy to sympathize with him.
He's had plenty of chances to turn things around, and he hasn't."
Ariana sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"I know you're right. It's just hard to ignore sometimes, you know?
I can't help but wonder what's really going on with him."
Clara gave her a small smile.
"You're sweet for caring, Ari.
But don't let it weigh on you too much.
Some people just aren't meant to change."
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, the hum of the sweet shop filling the space between them.
Finally, Ariana stood, brushing crumbs off her skirt.
"I think I need some fresh air.
Thanks for listening, though."
Eliza grinned, her usual playfulness returning.
Just don't let us catch you staring at Noah in class, okay?"
Ariana rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her lips.
As she walked out of the shop, she muttered to herself.
"Even if Noah is the most detestable person in the world, he's still not as bad as some people.
But being tied to him... that's its own kind of headache."
She glanced back at the shop one last time, her friends still seated and laughing together.
Turning back to the street, she shook her head.
"At least with them, things make sense."
For now, she decided, that was enough.