The basketball court was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the court as Kai sat alone on the bleachers, lost in a sea of swirling thoughts. The rhythmic bounce of the basketballs and the occasional shouts of the players echoed in the air, but none of it registered with Kai. His mind was consumed by Grace-her smile, her laughter, the way she moved with effortless grace on the court.

He couldn't help but watch her as she stood on the sidelines, cheering on the junior team with unwavering enthusiasm. Her eyes sparkled with genuine delight, her laughter infectious as she clapped and cheered with abandon. It was moments like these that made Kai's heart ache with longing, made him crave her presence more than ever before.

But it wasn't just Grace's infectious energy that captivated Kai-it was the way she looked at Lucas, her eyes alight with love and admiration. Every time she glanced in his direction, Kai felt a pang of jealousy twist in his chest, a bitter reminder of the unrequited love that burned within him.

He couldn't help but envy the easy camaraderie between Grace and Lucas, the way they laughed and joked as if they shared a secret language all their own. It was a bond forged in the fires of friendship, but to Kai, it felt like so much more-a connection that transcended mere words, a love that knew no bounds.

Last night had been particularly difficult for Kai. As he waited with Grace for Lucas to finish practice, he couldn't help but notice the way she had leaned against Lucas's shoulder, her eyes fluttering closed in peaceful sleep. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes about their relationship-a bond so deep and profound that it left Kai feeling like an outsider looking in.

A sense of longing washed over Kai as he watched them, his heart heavy with unspoken desires. He wanted nothing more than to be the one Grace leaned on, the one she trusted with her heart and soul. But he knew that would never happen-not as long as Lucas was in the picture.

Lost in his thoughts, Kai barely noticed when Lucas approached, his footsteps barely audible over the sounds of the game. It wasn't until Lucas took a seat beside him that Kai snapped back to reality, his heart pounding in his chest as he braced himself for what was to come.

"Hey," Lucas said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mind if I join you?"

Kai shook his head, unable to form coherent words as he stared at Lucas, his mind racing with a million thoughts and emotions. He knew what Lucas was going to say, knew that this conversation would change everything between them. But that didn't make it any easier to hear.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately," Lucas began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "About Grace, about us, about everything. I never imagined myself to be here , stuck in a spiral of lots of thoughts and feeling. I think I finally figured it out. You are the closest to her , so I wanted to tell you first."

Kai's heart clenched at the mention of her name, a surge of emotion welling up inside him as he struggled to keep his composure. He wanted to scream, to lash out at Lucas for daring to intrude on his thoughts, but he knew it was pointless. Lucas deserved to know the truth, no matter how much it hurt.

"I love her, Kai," Lucas said quietly, his gaze never wavering from Kai's. "I love Grace, and I'm going to tell her today. I can't keep hiding it anymore."

The words hit Kai like a ton of bricks, sending shockwaves through his body as he struggled to process what he had just heard. He had suspected for a while now that Lucas harbored feelings for Grace, but hearing it confirmed sent a sharp pang of jealousy coursing through him.

"But before I do anything," Lucas continued, his voice trembling slightly, "I need to know where you stand. Do you...do you have feelings for Grace too?"

Kai's heart stuttered at the question, his mind racing with a million thoughts and emotions. He wanted to be honest with Lucas, to tell him the truth about his feelings for Grace. But as he looked into Lucas's eyes, all he saw was love and longing-the same love and longing he felt for Grace.

"Lucas, please," Kai said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't tell Grace about your feelings. Not yet, anyway. Give me three months. If, by then, I haven't made her fall in love with me, I'll step aside and help you tell her how you feel. But please, just give me this chance."

Lucas stared at Kai in disbelief, his eyes filled with a mix of confusion and resignation. He wanted to believe Kai, wanted to trust that he had Grace's best interests at heart. But deep down, he knew the truth: that Kai's feelings for Grace ran deeper than he could ever imagine.

"Three months," Lucas said finally, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "I'll give you three months, Kai. But after that, I'm not waiting any longer. I need to know if Grace feels the same way about me."

With a heavy heart, Kai nodded, his mind already racing with plans and strategies to win Grace's heart. He knew the road ahead would be filled with obstacles and uncertainties, but for the chance to be with her, he was willing to risk it all.

And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the basketball court fell silent, Kai made a silent vow to himself: he would do whatever it took to make Grace his, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness in the process.

**

Grace room was staring at her as she searched though the pile of clothes. As she rummaged through her closet, the lack of options only served to deepen her frustration. T-shirts, shorts, cargos, and crop tops stared back at her, mocking her futile search for something more.

"I really need to buy some better clothes," she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with self-doubt. The realization stung, a reminder of her own insecurities and the pressure to conform to societal expectations of femininity. For too long, Grace had hidden behind baggy clothes and tomboyish attire, afraid to embrace her true self.

As she lay there, lost in her thoughts, a spark of hope flickered within her. With a newfound determination, Grace reached for her phone, her fingers trembling with anticipation. With a quick dial, she called her friend, the one person who had always been there for her, no matter what.

"Hey," Grace said, her voice wavering slightly with uncertainty. "Are you free right now?"

On the other end of the line, her friend's voice came through, warm and welcoming. "Yeah, I'm free," she replied, her tone laced with curiosity. "What's up?"

Grace hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with possibilities. "Can I come over?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a soft chuckle. "Of course," her friend said, her voice filled with understanding. "You know you're always welcome here."

With a sense of relief washing over her, Grace hung up the phone and rose from the bed, a newfound sense of purpose guiding her steps. She smoothed down her clothes, her fingers lingering on the familiar fabric, before making her way out the door.

**

Olivia greeted Grace with a bright smile as she swung open the door for her to enter. Grace returned the smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she stepped inside.

They settled into the chairs in Olivia's balcony, the air buzzing with anticipation.

"What kind of help do you need?" Olivia asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Grace hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with thoughts of what she was about to ask. "Are you going to be okay?" she blurted out, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Olivia raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across her face. "You're making me nervous, Grace," she teased. "What's on your mind?"

Summoning her courage, Grace took a deep breath and plunged into the heart of the matter. "What do you think about Lucas?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia's expression softened, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "Honestly? I never really liked him that way," she admitted. "It was Hazel who made me feel like I did."

"Hazel?" Grace echoed, her mind reeling with the implications of Olivia's words.

"Yeah," Olivia continued, her voice tinged with regret. "She liked him, but she made me feel like I did too. It's complicated."

A knowing smile tugged at Grace's lips as she realized the truth behind Olivia's words. "I had a feeling," she confessed, her heart swelling with gratitude for her friend's honesty.

Once Grace was assured that none of her words will hurt Olivia even a bit , she narrated the last night's event to her.

Without missing a beat, Olivia jumped up from her chair, her eyes shining with excitement. "Come on," she said, grabbing Grace's hand and pulling her towards the her walk-in closet. "We've got work to do."

As they sifted through the racks of dresses , Olivia created a pile of clothes on floor. "We need to hurry," she declared. "This is definitely a proposal, and you need to look your best."

Grace tried on dozens of dresses, each one more beautiful than the last, but none of them felt quite right. It wasn't until Olivia pulled out a white knee-length dress that Grace's eyes lit up with recognition.

"Try this one," Olivia urged, handing Grace the dress with a knowing smile.

Grace slipped into the dress and stepped out of the dressing room, her heart pounding with anticipation. Olivia's eyes widened in delight as she took in Grace's appearance, her smile growing wider by the second.

"It's perfect," Olivia breathed, her voice filled with awe. "You look perfect."

Grace approached the mirror, her heart fluttering in her chest as she took in her reflection. The layers of her wolfcut cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face in soft waves. The white fabric hugged her waist, accentuating her curves and giving her an air of elegance.

For the first time in a long time, Grace felt beautiful, confident, and like a normal girl.

Grace changed into her usual clothes as she and Olivia walked straight from staff quarters to selected student's apartment carrying lots of bags. Olivia spent hours working on Grace's hairs and selecting the perfect Jewelleries for her perfect look.

Once she was done , Grace walked towards mirror to look at her self, she was left in awe the moment she saw herself dressed as a girl , more femine than she can ever imagine. The small XO pandent hung on her neckline , the golden ring shining bright on her index finger, the golden bracelet on her wrist , the pair of heels Olivia insisted her to put on. The white fabric made her curves highlight.

**

The rooftop of their hostel apartments was a sanctuary of solitude amidst the bustling chaos of their daily lives. As Kai ascended the stairs, each step felt heavier than the last, laden with the weight of the conversation he was about to have with Grace. His heart pounded in his chest, echoing the uncertainty that clouded his mind.

With only two stairs left, Kai paused, his breath caught in his throat. He closed his eyes briefly, summoning the courage to face Grace, to deliver the news that threatened to alter the course of their friendship. Inhaling deeply, he climbed the final steps and emerged onto the rooftop, his eyes immediately drawn to Grace standing at the other end.

She wore a white dress that swayed gently in the breeze, its hem brushing against her knees. Kai's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, the ethereal glow of the moon casting a soft halo around her figure. For a moment, he forgot the purpose of his visit, captivated by the sheer beauty of her presence.

As he approached her, Kai's mind raced with thoughts of what this conversation could lead to. He stopped behind her, his throat constricting with nervousness, and cleared his throat before speaking. "Grace," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I... I need to talk to you."

Grace turned at the sound of his voice, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Oh, Kai," she said, her voice tinged with relief, "I'm so glad you're here." But her words faltered as she registered the expression on Kai's face, her smile fading into confusion. "What's wrong?"

Kai hesitated, his eyes meeting hers, and he felt a pang of guilt at the hurt he was about to cause. "You should go back to your apartment," he said finally, his voice steady but laced with regret.

Confusion clouded Grace's features as she furrowed her brow. "Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Kai took a deep breath, steeling himself for her reaction. "Lucas... he's not coming," he said, the words hanging heavily in the air between them.

Grace's expression shifted, her features falling as if the weight of the world had suddenly descended upon her shoulders. She blinked back tears, her smile fading into a mask of sadness. "Oh," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle rustle of the wind.

Kai's heart ached at the sight of her pain, his own emotions swirling in turmoil. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, reaching out to touch her arm.

Grace forced a smile, though it was tinged with sorrow. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice wavering slightly. But her eyes betrayed the facade, shimmering with unshed tears.

Silence enveloped them, broken only by the distant hum of the city below. Kai longed to say something, anything to ease Grace's pain, but the words eluded him. Instead, he watched helplessly as she turned away, her shoulders slumped with defeat.

With one last glance over her shoulder, Grace offered Kai a sad smile before disappearing through the door leading back to their apartments. Left alone on the rooftop, Kai felt a sense of emptiness wash over him, a hollow ache in the pit of his stomach.

**