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Chapter 38 - Chapter 38 – “Operation: Impress Lila”

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[Scene: School Hallway – Morning]

Lila opens her locker and gasps.

Inside is a neatly wrapped bento with a note:

"Handmade just for you. Your favorite — Kai 🍙💙"

She smiles… only to hear a voice behind her.

Theo (teasingly):

"Wow. Impressive. He knows how to cook?"

Lila (grinning):

"Apparently."

Theo (hands her a cup):

"Well, I got you that hot chocolate from the café you said you missed. Extra marshmallows. Beat that."

She laughs, holding both gifts, then looks between them.

Lila (deadpan):

"I need more hands."

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[Scene: Class – Midday]

Kai taps on her desk, leaning in close.

Kai (softly):

"Want to skip lunch with the crowd and go to the garden?"

Before she can answer—

Theo slides into the seat beside her.

Theo:

"Too bad. Already asked her first. And I got her dessert."

Lila (whispering):

"Did I accidentally start a competition?"

Kai (mocking):

"Oh, it started long ago."

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[Scene: School Garden – Lunch Break]

Lila sits between them on the bench.

Kai is feeding her strawberries.

Theo offers her chocolate cake.

They're both talking over each other.

Lila (mouth full, mumbles):

"Are you guys trying to make me explode from sugar?"

Theo (smirking):

"Just proving who knows you better."

Kai:

"Or who loves her more."

Lila chokes on cake. Theo hands her water while glaring at Kai.

Theo:

"Too far."

Kai:

"Just saying."

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[Scene: After School – Lila's Room]

She collapses onto her bed, clutching her pillow.

Lila (thinking):

I didn't sign up for a real-life love triangle simulator. They're both so sweet… and so annoying.

Her phone buzzes again.

Theo:

"Did you like the hot chocolate?"

Kai:

"Can I take you out this weekend? Just us?"

Lila:

"…I'm going to scream."

She smiles anyway.

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[Scene: Night – Kai's POV]

Kai stares at his phone, scrolling through Lila's messages.

Kai (thinking):

I can't lose her. Not to Theo. Not again…

He looks at a photo of them from middle school.

And then deletes it.

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[Scene: Night – Theo's POV]

Theo stares at the ceiling in the dark.

Theo (thinking):

Maybe I should just tell her how deep this really is.

Or maybe… maybe she already knows.

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