"Sometimes the brightest moments with friends are only the calm before the storm of solitude."
—Rhodaverse.

----

The sound of laughter echoed through the halls as Maya and her friends strolled out of their last class. It was a perfect sunny afternoon, and all they could think about was the summer dance-an event they'd been planning for weeks. The upcoming break meant school was winding down, and soon, summer would sweep them off into new adventures.

Ava bounced up beside Maya, holding her phone out to capture a group selfie. "Okay, everyone, smile! This one's going on the 'Summer Dance Countdown' post."

Maya, always camera-ready, tilted her head, letting her hair cascade over one shoulder, and flashed a bright smile. The shutter clicked, and in seconds, Ava was already crafting the perfect caption. Meanwhile, Maya couldn't help but check her own profile, scanning the likes on her latest post.

"Shopping today, dance tomorrow, vacation in a week," Maya said with a grin. "This summer's already looking perfect."

Her friends agreed. Jayda, leaning against her locker, was the first to speak up. "Honestly, this break couldn't come soon enough. I'm starting my internship at that fashion studio in LA. It's literally my dream. I'll be working with designers, going to shoots. It's gonna be wild."

Maya raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Girl, you'll be living my dream!"

Eleanor chimed in next, adjusting her sunglasses. "My parents rented this beach house down in the Hamptons. It's nothing fancy, but I can't wait to just sit on the sand and soak up the sun. Plus, you know the party scene there is insane during summer."

"I better get an invite," Ava teased. "While you guys are living the dream, my family's doing the classic road trip. You know, visiting national parks, stopping at random diners... it's like, Instagram-worthy, but at the same time, I kinda wish we were hitting up somewhere more exciting."

"Well, at least you're getting a break from school," Layla said with a laugh. "I'm stuck here for most of the summer. We've got a bunch of local festivals, though, so that'll keep me busy. Plus, it's not all bad-I've been saving up for a huge shopping spree before senior year."

All eyes turned to Maya, who had been unusually quiet. "And you, Miss Jetsetter? What's the big vacation this year?" Jayda asked.

Maya flashed a smile, keeping it casual. "We're doing our annual family vacation thing. Probably mountains, lakes... you know the vibe. My parents love the whole 'get off the grid' thing."

Ava groaned. "You're not serious! I was expecting, like, Paris or Tokyo."

Maya chuckled. "Not this year. It's gonna be more chill. A little time away from the city might be good. You know I suggested Santorini. Plus, I'll be glued to my phone, keeping up with all the tea you guys will be spilling."

The conversation shifted to vacation plans, and soon enough, they were back to talking about the summer dance as they headed for the mall.

The sun cast a soft golden glow through the leaves of the trees, dappling the pavement as Maya and her friends made their way through the shopping district. It was that time of year when everything felt electric-the end of the school year, the excitement of the upcoming summer dance, and, of course, the buzz of their summer vacation plans. As they weaved in and out of shops, the air around them felt lighter, like the world was on the edge of something new.

The aisles of shimmering gowns, racks of strappy heels, and the faint smell of perfume in the air made the shopping experience feel magical. They tried on dresses, snapped pictures, and laughed about who would match with who at the dance.

Ava, her best friend, led the way, her arm hooked through Maya's. "I swear, if I don't find the perfect dress for the summer dance today, I might actually die."

Maya laughed, even as her gaze shifted to the streets behind them. A part of her couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched again, just like at school. She scanned the area, trying not to be obvious, but saw nothing out of place.

"You're totally getting crowned queen this year, Ava," Jayda said, tossing her hair back and flashing a grin. "You've been talking about this dance for months. I'm betting everyone's going to be jealous of your outfit."

"Obviously," Ava said with a confident wink. "I've got to show up and show out, you know."

Eleanor and Layla trailed behind, whispering and giggling over their own dress ideas. Layla's phone was out, and she'd been snapping photos the entire afternoon for her Instagram story.

"Okay, seriously, I need your opinion, Maya," Ava said, dragging her into the next store. "This or this?" She held up two dresses, both glamorous in their own right. One was a sleek, emerald green number with a daring slit, while the other was soft and flowing in a pastel pink that sparkled under the store's lights.

Maya's mind was momentarily pulled from her unease as she examined the dresses. "The green one, definitely. It's bold, and I know you want to make a statement."

"I knew it!" Ava grinned, holding the dress against her body and twirling dramatically. "You always know."

They continued browsing, trying on dresses and snapping pictures as they went. Maya held up her phone, capturing a selfie of all of them in front of the mirror. The sight of their laughing faces brought a genuine smile to her lips. For a moment, it felt like nothing else mattered. Just her and her friends, living in the moment.

"Post that one, Maya! It's perfect," Jayda said, leaning over her shoulder to inspect the picture.

"Already on it," Maya replied, adding a filter and hitting upload. Her feed was filled with moments like this-carefree, perfect snapshots of her life, the kind that got hundreds of likes in minutes. But there was a part of her that felt disconnected from it all today, as if everything wasn't as perfect as it seemed.

Maya stepped away from the mirror and smiled at her reflection, but her mind was somewhere else. She felt a sudden chill, like someone was watching her again, just like the strange sensation she'd felt at school before.

As she turned around, her heart skipped a beat. A figure lurked in the distance, outside the boutique. Their face was obscured by the shadow of a hoodie, but their posture was unnervingly still. They were watching her.

"I'll back guys-- just one minute" Maya excused herself from the fitting room, needing a break from the noise. The girls gave her a nod as they continued trying on dresses and chattering.

The girls were still busy comparing dresses and taking photos, but she needed a moment of air. She wandered down the quiet corridors of the mall, her phone still buzzing with notifications as she absentmindedly scrolled through her feed.

As she paused by the large glass window, looking out at the shoppers below, the same unsettling feeling washed over her-like she was being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the corridor behind her. It was empty, but the feeling lingered.

Brushing it off, she continued walking, her eyes catching the reflection of someone standing at the end of the corridor. She turned to face them. A hooded figure, still as a statue, was watching her from the shadows. Maya's heart pounded in her chest as she locked eyes with them.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The figure's face was obscured, but something about their presence felt off, like they didn't belong in the bustle of the mall. Maya swallowed, forcing herself to look away and continue walking, but her footsteps slowed as she reached the edge of the boutique.

Just as she was about to step back into the store where her friends were, the figure moved. They were suddenly much closer, their steps soundless as they approached her. Maya froze, her breath caught in her throat.

"Hey, do I know you?" she called out, trying to sound confident, but her voice wavered.

The figure stopped a few feet away, their face still hidden under the shadow of the hood. "Maya..."

The way they said her name made her skin crawl. It wasn't just familiarity-it was like they knew something she didn't.

"I don't have time for games," Maya said, trying to regain her composure. "If you know me, say something, or I'm leaving."

The figure tilted their head slightly. "You're not ready for what's coming."

Maya blinked, the cryptic words sinking into her mind like a weight. "What are you talking about?"

The figure shifted, the silence between them thickening with tension. "Soon, you'll be alone. The stars you cling to now will drift apart, leaving you in the dark. Watch them fade, one by one."

Maya's heart raced faster. "What do you mean alone? Who are you?"

But the figure didn't answer. Instead, they took a step back, their voice lower now, barely above a whisper. "They'll come for you, Maya. When they do, you'll understand".

"What do you mean--". Maya face filled with confusion.

"You're next-- they're after you".

Before Maya could react, the figure turned and disappeared into the crowded mall, blending effortlessly with the throngs of people. She stood there, rooted to the spot, her mind spinning.

"Alone... fade... what the hell?"

She glanced back at the boutique, where her friends were still laughing and trying on dresses, completely oblivious. For a brief second, Maya wondered if she should tell them. But something in her gut told her not to. This felt personal, like something meant only for her. She didn't want to bother them.

Shaken, she forced herself to walk back toward the boutique, trying to push the encounter out of her mind. But the figure's words echoed in her head, intertwining with the summer dance plans and her friends' vacation talk.

The stars you cling to now will drift apart.

Why would they want to take to her in codes?

Maya looked around at her friends, laughing and carefree, and for the first time that day, the excitement of summer felt distant.

After hours of trying on dresses, snapping photos, and laughing in the changing rooms, the girls made their way to the food court, arms laden with bags. They found a table near the window, the late afternoon sunlight casting a warm glow over the bustling mall.

They settled at a table near the window, chatting about the dance, gossiping about school, and taking pictures of their food like they always did.

Ava dropped into her seat with an exaggerated sigh. "Shopping is exhausting. But we killed it, ladies. I mean, look at these dresses! We're gonna look so good at the summer dance."

"Okay, seriously," Eleanor said between bites of her sandwich, "we are going to absolutely slay at this dance. Like, no competition."

Jayda chuckled. "You've been saying that since last year."

"Because it's true!" Eleanor insisted, her eyes sparkling. "This is going to be our night. I can feel it."

Jayda nodded, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair. "The guys won't know what hit them."

Eleanor laughed, taking a sip from her iced coffee. "Honestly, I'm just glad this is over. I'm so ready for vacation."

"Tell me about it," Layla chimed in, unwrapping her sandwich. "I've already booked my ticket for Greece. Two weeks of sun, beaches, and no school? Heaven."

As the girls discussed their summer plans, Maya found herself staring at her untouched plate. She twirled a fry absentmindedly, her mind replaying the strange encounter in the mall. The figure's words echoed in her thoughts like a haunting melody: Soon, you'll be alone. The stars you cling to now will drift apart.

She barely heard Ava's voice until she felt a gentle nudge on her arm. "Maya? Hellooo, Earth to Maya," Ava called out, her eyes narrowing with concern. "You've been zoning out for like, five minutes. You good?"

Maya blinked, forcing herself to smile. "Yeah, sorry. Just... tired, I guess."

Ava wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? You've been kinda quiet since we left the store. Did something happen?"

Maya opened her mouth to brush it off but caught herself. Her friends' eyes were on her now, all of them watching closely, waiting. "No, nothing happened," she said slowly, her gaze falling back to the plate in front of her. "Just... thinking about summer, I guess. You know, with the dance and vacation. It's all happening so fast."

Jayda leaned forward, a teasing smile on her lips. "Please, you're just thinking about your Instagram feed blowing up after the dance. You know your posts are gonna be fire."

The group burst into laughter, easing the tension, and Maya smiled, grateful for the distraction. "You got me," she said, forcing a laugh of her own.

"Come on, let's get a picture," Eleanor said, already pulling out her phone. "We need a 'last shopping trip before summer' moment for the 'gram."

The girls quickly gathered around, posing with their bags and drinks, pulling silly faces and laughing between shots. Ava threw her arm around Maya's shoulders, pulling her into the middle of the group.

"Say 'summer vacay!'" Eleanor shouted as the camera clicked.

"Summer vacay!" they chorused, and for a moment, Maya let herself forget about the cryptic message, the strange figure, and the lingering unease. She laughed with her friends, their voices filling the air as they talked about the dance, their vacation plans, and everything in between.

But even as the conversation carried on, a small part of her mind drifted back to the figure's haunting words. Soon, you'll be alone.

What did that even mean?

Maya shook her head, trying to push it away again. This was supposed to be a fun day, not something to stress over. Still, she couldn't help but wonder... what did it all mean?

Ava caught her eye again, her brows furrowed with concern. "You sure you're okay?"

Maya nodded quickly, pushing the thoughts to the back of her mind. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... ready for summer, you know?"

"Me too," Layla agreed, biting into her sandwich. "This break couldn't come soon enough."

As the girls continued chatting, Maya tried to focus on the conversation, but deep down, she knew that something had shifted. And even though she was surrounded by her friends, the weight of the message hung over her like a dark cloud, waiting for the right moment to strike.

As the evening drew to a close and the girls went their separate ways, Maya's unease only deepened. The dance loomed ahead, a night of excitement and celebration. But now, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if it would be something far more dangerous.

------

And that's a wrap for chapter 4!

I know what you're thinking. Who the hell was that? What was that cryptic message? What's going to happen next? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments!

Want to know more? Read on to find out!

Don't forget to add to your library to be aware of updates!

Have a good day!

Bye for now!

Muah!💋
~Rhoda