"There she is!" Sophia exclaimed, her voice slicing through the cafeteria noise as she spotted me rushing towards our table.

Daphne looked up from her nearly untouched tray. "Where have you been?"

I took a moment to catch my breath, my heart racing not just from the sprint but from the news I was about to drop.

"You won't believe what I just heard." I gasped, trying to steady my voice.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "This better be good. I sacrificed my chicken wraps for this." She gestured towards the counter, where students were jostling for the last of the coveted chicken wraps.

"Oh, it's way juicier than those wraps." I let the suspense build as I took a seat, my eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Spill it already!" Sophia demanded, clearly impatient.

I glanced at Daphne, then back to Sophia, and let the bombshell drop. "Elijah and Lydia broke up."

Daphne's jaw dropped. "What?"

"I don't buy it," Sophia snorted.

"But it's true!" I insisted.

"Are you sure you've not missed some screws in calculus?" Sophia rolled her eyes. "Elijah and Lydia were like the couple of the century. They were always the center of attention and totally in their little world. Have you forgotten the times we've seen them sucking each other's souls in the hallways..." I gave a blank look at her exaggeration but she ignored me and continued. "They were always attached at the hip since they got together two years ago."

"Who told you?" Daphne asked, and I told them about my bladder struggle in calculus to the restroom overhearing, omitting the Blake part.

Sophia folded her arms, still doubtful. "That sounds like a rumor. You know how things get twisted around here."

"Then tell me why she's sitting at the cheerleader's table," I pointed discreetly behind me. "And not clinging to her boyfriend's lap on the basketball team's table like she used to?"

Sophia's eyes followed my gesture, her expression shifting from disbelief to intrigue. "Okay, that's interesting, but it still might just be a fight. They could make up by tomorrow."

"I think it's true-"

Sophia flicked her eyes towards Daphne. "Don't get her hopes up based on a random conversation."

"Fine." I raised my hands in surrender. "We'll keep an eye on them and see if they're done or if this is just a bump in the road."

"And then what?" Sophia arched an eyebrow.

Daphne leaned in. "What are you planning?"

I gave her a knowing look, letting my smirk widen. "Then we make the most of it. Let's just say I've got a feeling this could lead to some very interesting developments."

Sophia and Daphne exchanged glances, their curiosity now fully piqued. The cafeteria buzzed around us, but at our table, the drama of the high school romance had just begun.

➽─────────❥

"I'm home!" I called out as I stepped through the front door, my backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Welcome home, Cara!" My mom's voice, usually bright and upbeat, had a sharp edge today. She emerged from the kitchen with a look that could cut glass. "How was your first day at school?"

"Uh..." I glanced at her warily. "It was okay."

Mom's attention shifted to Cody, who was sprawled on the couch, deeply immersed in his video game.

"Did you hear that, Cody?" Her voice dripped with a forced cheerfulness. "Your sister's day was 'okay.'"

"What's going on?" I darted my eyes between them, sensing something was off.

"Oh, nothing much," Mom said, crossing her arms and giving Cody a pointed look. "Just that I got a call from your brother's school. Apparently, he had a fight."

My eyes widened in shock. "You fought on your first day?"

He grumbled something under his breath, not bothering to look up from his game.

"We can't hear you, Cody." Mom said, her smile stretching unnaturally. "Why don't you tell your sister what happened?"

With a dramatic sigh, he paused his game and turned to face me. The sight of a massive bruise on his jaw made me gasp.

"What in the world?" I walked over to him, scrutinizing the bruise with concern.

"A new kid transferred into my class today. His name is Zack." He paused as if that explained everything.

"And?" I pressed, needing more details.

"Zack and Cody..." He stared at me expectantly, as if I should instantly understand the full story.

"Zack and Cody..." I frowned, and then the lightbulb went off. "As in 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody'?"

"Exactly!" He said, relieved that I finally got the reference.

"And how is that related to your fight?" I tilted my head.

"My classmates started teasing me, saying Zack was the cool one and Cody was a nerd. Zack was playing it up, acting like he was the king of the class and I was just some dorky sidekick."

I stared at him, trying to process this bizarre reason for a fight.

"You got into a fight because of similar names based on a TV show?" I gave him a blank look.

"Why are you reacting like Mom did?" He whined, frustrated with the lack of sympathy.

I turned to Mom, who wore the same exhausted expression she had when dealing with Cody's antics.

"I must have given birth to a couple of idiots." She said, shaking her head.

"Hey!" Cody and I shouted in unison.

"I get that he's an idiot." Cody shot me a venomous glare. "But why am I getting dragged into this mess?"

"Because you're his sister," Mom rolled her eyes as she headed back to the kitchen. "Now go wash up. I'm making lunch."

"Thanks to you, Mom just called me stupid." I gave him a light smack on the back of his head.

"Hey, you witch!" He jumped up, his fists clenched.

"Oh, what are you going to do? Fight me with those tiny fists of yours?" I mocked him. "I'll beat you just like Zack did."

"I did most of the damage!" He declared proudly.

"Is he in the hospital?" I arched my brow.

"No..." His face fell as he pointed to his bruise. "But he's got one like this!"

"Idiot," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I grabbed my backpack.

"Where do you think you're going?" He called after me. "I'm not done with you-"

"Cody!" Mom's voice cut through the room from the kitchen.

"Sorry!" He mumbled, sinking back onto the couch and resuming his game. I couldn't help but laugh as I headed upstairs.

I love my family.

➽─────────❥

After an entire week of covert surveillance, we had confirmed it. The rumor was true. Elijah and Lydia had officially broken up.

We hadn't seen them together or even exchanged glances. The news had spread through Riverside High faster than a viral TikTok dance. Even at basketball practice, we overheard Lydia confirming the split to a nosy classmate.

It was time for Operation Matchmaker.

"What on earth are you doing?" Sophia eyed me as I set up a whiteboard in her room. "And where did you even get that board from?"

"This relic?" I tapped the whiteboard with a marker. "Daphne and I used to play teacher and student with this board when we were kids." I shrugged, trying to look nonchalant.

"Cara used to teach me and some imaginary students." Daphne giggled. "She was strict with them and I was her favorite."

"Oh wow," Sophia said, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I wonder why you were her favorite student."

"We were in kindergarten." I cleared my throat as I tried to hide my embarrassment. "Let's focus on the main agenda we have gathered here." I pointed at the window of her room. "Elijah."

It was Friday night, and we had gathered at Sophia's house for a sleepover. There were several perks to having a sleepover at her house. Her parents were away on business, she lived right across from Elijah, making it perfect for spying, and lastly, she didn't have a clingy younger sibling, but she did have an older brother, Samuel, a college dropout we tried to ignore.

"What exactly are you planning?" Sophia squinted her eyes at me.

"As your best friend..." I said with seriousness. "It's my duty to look out for you guys. I had no idea about your crush on Elijah." I gestured at Daphne, who shrugged nonchalantly. "But now that I do, it's my turn to help you land your dream guy."

I spun around and, with dramatic flair, wrote 'MISSION ELIJAH' on the whiteboard in bold capital letters.

"We'll code name this operation 'ME' so no one else can crack it."

Sophia and Daphne's side glanced at each other before focusing back on me.

"I'm touched you're helping Cara." Daphne fidgeted with her fingers. "Do you think it'll work?"

"We'll make it work," I said, with all the confidence of a general leading an army.

"He just broke up." Sophia sighed. "What if he's not interested in getting into another relationship? Or worse, what if Daphne ends up being a rebound?"

"We have a year, so there's no need to rush. We'll take it step by step, like a slow-burn romance story, and make him fall for Daph."

"What if he's not interested in Daph?" Sophia gave me a challenging look.

"Look at her." We both darted our gaze to Daphne, who shifted in her seat at the sudden attention. "How could anyone on this earth say no to this angelic beauty?"

"S-stop Cara." Daphne blushed.

"Touché." Sophia nodded her head. "Elaborate your plan."

"Phase One: Introduction. We need to make sure Elijah knows Daphne exists. Second, we'll work on talking to him in class." I wrote on the board. "Elijah, Daphne, and I have chemistry together. Do you have any other classes with him?" Daphne shook her head. "Alright then, chemistry it is."

"So, your big plan is to have a small talk with him in class?" Sophia seemed unimpressed.

"Patience, grasshopper," I said writing the second step. "Next, we'll get Elijah to invite Daphne to his parties. If we succeed, we'll have completed phase one."

"This is getting interesting," Sophia said, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. Daphne nodded, looking more excited.

Phase 2: Partnering up with Elijah in chemistry, hanging out with him at lunch, and slipping a secret love letter to gauge his interest in another relationship.

Phase 3: Creating intimate situations-like Daphne opening up about her feelings and spending Halloween together.

"At Halloween." I waggled my eyebrows. "We'll stage a rescue in the haunted house."

"But I'm terrified of haunted houses!" Daphne clutched her chest.

"That's the point!" Sophia chimed in. "Elijah will be there to save you."

"Exactly!" I motioned toward the board with pride. "And finally, Phase four: Daphne confesses her feelings at the Autumn Festival."

"My what?" Her eyes bugged out.

"Why then?" Sophia inquired.

"Because the Autumn Festival is in November," I explained. "We'll have four months to execute our plan, and if all else fails, we've got winter break to try again."

"And if it doesn't work?" Sophia raised an eyebrow.

"We won't know until we try." I shrugged. "This is your call, Daph. I've got a twenty percent chance this might not work, but-"

"More like sixty," Sophia interjected.

I ignored her. "What do you say?"

Daphne hesitated, her eyes darting between us. "I-"

"Do you want him?" I asked, my gaze steady.

"Yes," Daphne admitted.

A wide grin spread across my face. "Then I'll be your Cupid."

"Wow!" We all turned to see Samuel leaning casually against the doorframe, clapping slowly. "Nice strategy."

"How long have you been standing there?" I growled.

"Since the beginning," Samuel smirked, strolling into the room. "But there are a few flaws in your plan."

"Samuel, get out of my room!" Sophia threw a pillow at him, but he dodged effortlessly.

"Hold on, Soph." I crossed my arms. "I'm all ears."

His smirk widened. "You might encounter the jealous ex during phase two."

"They broke up on mutual terms," I argued.

"Sure, but guys can move on quickly while girls might linger."

"Speaking from experience?"

"Maybe," He shrugged. "Another thing, you might not even get to Phase three. What if Elijah loses interest and finds someone else?"

"Soph and I will make sure no ex or new girl comes between them."

"There's also the risk that Daphne might lose interest." Samuel glanced at her.

I frowned and looked at Daphne, who seemed puzzled. "Daphne's had a crush on him since middle school. That will not be an issue."

"What if another guy shows interest in Daphne?" Samuel asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.

I stepped in front of him, keeping my head held high. "I'll keep him away."

Samuel raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm just here for the show."

"Good," I grinned. "Now, let's get this plan in motion-"

A familiar roar abruptly cut me off. We all exchanged wide-eyed glances, except Samuel, who was clueless. Without missing a beat, we bolted to the window. There, in all its sleek, black glory, was Blake's car pulling up in front of Elijah's house. The ominous roar of the engine filled the room.

Elijah stepped out of his house, looking all kinds of brooding and handsome as he climbed into the car. They drove off into the night, leaving only the faint hum of the engine behind.

"What are you all staring at?" Samuel asked in confusion.

"Samuel, out!" Sophia barked as she finally managed to shove him out the door, slamming it behind him with a thud.

I glanced at Daphne, who was still transfixed by the car as it disappeared into the distance.

"There might be a few loopholes in the plan. But that doesn't mean we're giving up." I said.

Daphne nodded with a spark of excitement in her eyes. "I'm in. Let's do this."

We turned back to the whiteboard, brainstorming our next moves. Samuel might have been right about the flaws, but we were determined to make this work. For Daphne and for the epic rom-com storyline we were about to create.

➽─────────❥