Between Smiles and Secrets
Alexa ran toward her to hug her, but Sara avoided it again.
“Ugh, Sara, what’s your problem?” Alexa said in a grumpy tone. “Why do you always avoid my hugs like this? C’mon, we’re both girls!”
“That’s the problem,” Sara murmured.
“What did you say?” Alexa asked.
“Nothing... You wouldn’t understand.”
“Why not? Why can’t I understand? I’m your best friend!” Alexa pressed, hurt and frustrated.
But Sara didn’t answer. She just started walking.
“Ay, Sara! Wait for me! Heyyyy...” Alexa called after her.
Alexa was Sara’s only best friend on campus — her personal diary in human form. But Sara never told her about Maera. Not even once.
When Sara entered the class, everyone was busy chatting. Her classmates — not exactly close friends, but still familiar faces — waved at her. Sara smiled faintly and nodded. She quietly took her seat and opened her notebook. Moments later, the professor entered and began the lecture.
Meanwhile...
Twenty-six-year-old Maera was still asleep by noon. Her wife, Simi, was exhausted from trying to wake her.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Sim?” Maera groaned. “Just let me sleep a little longer. I’m so tired.”
“So... you’re not going to wake up?”
“No.”
That one-word reply triggered Simi. She grabbed Maera by the collar and pulled her up from the bed — but before she could scold her, Maera suddenly kissed her.
“Happy now? Let me sleep,” Maera said with a mischievous grin, flopping back into bed.
Simi stood there, stunned. Her hand slipped from Maera’s collar, and Maera smiled before drifting off again.
Once Simi snapped out of her daze:“Maera! You... you pervert! I swear I’ll teach you a lesson next time, you—”
Her phone suddenly rang.
“Hello? Who’s this?”
“Hey, Sim, how are you, bro?”
“Oh, it’s you, Susan! I’m good, how about you?”
Maera, half-asleep but fully amused, glanced over and thought: Maybe I should go into hibernation... It’s gonna be a long day. She chuckled at her silly thought, turned to the other side, and tried to sleep again.
Back on campus...
Sara sat in the cafeteria, lost in her thoughts. Suddenly — whack!
“AYYOOO!”
“Alexa! Damn it, go to hell!”
“Oy, why are you cursing me like this?” Alexa pouted, putting on an innocent face.
“Don’t act all cute, you lunatic! You have no shame, scaring and hitting people in public!”
“Okay, okay! I’m not gonna apologize,” Alexa smirked.
Sara couldn’t help but smile.
“Here,” Alexa said, handing her a coffee. “It’s their new flavor.”
“What...?” Sara blinked, surprised.
“C’mon, I know how much you love coffee. Just have a sip. I bet you’ll like it.”
Sara looked at her for a moment, then asked softly, “Why do you care about me so much?”
“Why shouldn’t I? Is there something wrong, Sara? You look... off. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. I’m always here for you.” Alexa reached out and held Sara’s hand.
Sara smiled faintly, then gently pulled her hand back. Alexa noticed.
“Sara... what’s wrong? What’s bothering you? Tell me. I’m not letting you walk away this time.”
Sara hesitated, tense.
“I can’t tell you... because I don’t want you to hate me. There are things we can’t say to the people we care about most — because we’re afraid they won’t love us anymore.”
Alexa held her gaze.
“Sara, you can tell me anything. Everything. I won’t hate you. Honestly... I can’t hate you.”
Sara’s eyes softened. She opened her mouth to speak — but just then, their classmates Sam and Zero walked over to their table.
“Hey guys, what’s up?” Sam said.
“Oh look, Zero!” Sam chirped. “This is the new coffee they just launched.”
