The next day at school, the morning air buzzed with the usual noise — locker doors slamming, sneakers squeaking on the floors, laughter echoing from the halls. Claire moved through it all, quiet, lost in her thoughts. Even after the moment with Randy at the park, her mind wasn't fully settled.
Just as she turned the corner near her classroom, someone called her name.
"Claire!"
She turned — and there was Miko, walking quickly toward her, his usual easygoing grin softening when their eyes met.
"Hey," he said, catching his breath a little. "I've been trying to talk to you all morning."
Claire tilted her head. "What's up?"
Miko scratched the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically nervous. "So... there's this indie band playing this weekend. They're doing a small outdoor concert near Riverwalk."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "The one with the light show?"
He lit up. "Yeah! That's the one. I remember you said you liked their stuff."
She gave a small smile. "I do."
Miko shifted his weight, hesitating before adding, "Well... I was wondering if you wanted to go. With me."
Claire blinked.
"Oh," she said.
" Did you forget about the threat?"
" You mean the one that said , I had to stay away from you. Hmm, no at all. I want to face it. How far does the threat control me".
He gave a sheepish laugh. "I mean, not like a huge thing. Just the two of us, you know? I thought it might be fun."
She paused, carefully choosing her words. "That's... really sweet, Miko. But I don't think I can."
His smile faltered just a little. "Oh. Is it—someone else?"
Claire shook her head gently. "It's not that. It's just... complicated."
Miko nodded, but then added, "Does this have anything to do with Diana?"
That made her look up.
"What do you mean?"
"I know she likes me," Miko said plainly. "She's never said it, not directly, but I'm not clueless. I've always tried to be nice to her, but... I don't feel the same way."
Claire sighed softly. "I know. And that's the problem."
He looked at her, puzzled.
"She's not just anyone," Claire said. "We used to be really close. Things between us… changed. There's a lot of history. If I go with you, it'll make everything worse."
"But we're friends too," Miko said, frustration creeping into his voice. "And it's not like I've led Diana on. I just wanted to spend time with you."
Claire gave him an apologetic smile. "I know. And I really appreciate that, Miko. But I can't pretend like all that history doesn't matter. Not yet."
Miko looked at her for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Okay," he said. "I get it."
She reached out and touched his arm lightly. "Let's just... stay friends. For now. Until things settle."
He managed a smile, though there was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. "You always say the most mature thing possible. Even when I wish you didn't."
Claire laughed quietly. "That's because I've already made enough messes before. I'm trying not to make more."
As Miko walked away, Claire stood there for a moment longer, the sound of the school bell ringing in the background. She wasn't sure if she made the right choice.
But for now, it felt honest.
The final bell rang for lunch, and Claire lingered at her locker, staring at the books in her arms but not really seeing them.
Miko's words replayed in her head.
"I just wanted to spend time with you."
And she believed him. He wasn't pushing, wasn't pretending. But she also couldn't ignore how twisted everything could get — especially with Diana. That history was still too fresh, too fragile.
But still… she did want to see that concert.
And maybe it didn't have to be a rejection or a statement. Maybe it could just be… a boundary.
She pulled out her phone and texted:
Claire:
Hey. About the concert. I think I want to go, actually.
The message sat there for a second before she added:
But can Vienna come too? I don't want it to feel like a date. Just friends.
She hesitated, thumb hovering over send.
Then she tapped it.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.
Miko:
Yeah. Totally. I get it. Thanks for telling me straight. I'll save three spots :)
Claire smiled to herself.
No drama. No pretending. No guilt.
Just a small, honest step forward — with the right kind of space around it.
That evening, the kitchen was filled with the soft clatter of dishes and the gentle hum of music from the small radio near the sink. Claire leaned against the counter, watching her mom slice up vegetables for dinner. The overhead lights made the whole space feel warmer than usual.
She hesitated before speaking.
"Hey, Mom?"
Her mom glanced up. "Hmm?"
Claire shifted her weight. "There's this concert this weekend. Small one. At Riverwalk."
Her mom raised an eyebrow. "You want to go?"
"Yeah. Miko asked me," she said carefully. "But I told him Vienna's coming with us too. It's not a date."
There was a brief pause as her mom set the knife down and turned to look at her fully.
Claire continued before she could say anything. "I just wanted to tell you. Up front. I'm not sneaking around. I just... think I should start being honest about where I go. Who I'm with."
Her mom studied her for a moment, surprised — not in a bad way, just a little caught off guard by how calm and direct Claire sounded.
"Okay," she said gently. "I appreciate you telling me."
Claire nodded. "I know you don't love the idea of me being around boys after everything with Randy, but I'm not trying to mess things up. I just want to do things right this time."
Her mom's expression softened.
"I trust you, Claire," she said, her voice sincere. "It means a lot that you're being upfront. Just keep making good choices."
Claire smiled faintly. "Trying."
There was a pause before her mom added, "And Vienna's going?"
"Yeah," Claire said. "She'll keep me from doing anything stupid."
Her mom chuckled. "Good. Then I won't worry too much."
Claire turned to help with the plates, the conversation settling between them like a quiet agreement — no tension, no hiding. Just honesty, finally starting to feel normal.
Saturday evening.
The sky glowed in hues of deep orange and lavender as the sun dipped beyond the horizon. The air buzzed with laughter, soft chatter, and the occasional test of a microphone from the pop-up stage nestled near the Riverwalk lawn.
Claire stepped onto the grass with Vienna beside her, the sound of live music pulsing softly in the background as the crowd trickled in. Strings of lights hung between trees, flickering to life one by one as dusk settled. It felt… different. Not like school. Not like the awkward pressure of the past week. Just people, music, and open air.
"There's something about twilight and guitars," Vienna said, nudging Claire. "Makes everyone look ten percent more attractive."
Claire laughed. "Let's hope the band sounds as good as they look."
A few minutes later, Miko waved them over near a food stall. He was dressed casually, his jacket slightly rumpled, like he hadn't overthought anything — but Claire could tell he had.
"Hey," he greeted them. "I got us a spot up near the middle — not too close to the speakers."
"Nice," Claire said. "Thanks for inviting us."
He smiled. "Glad you came."
They walked together, settling down on a blanket Miko had brought. Vienna immediately pulled out snacks from her bag, declaring herself "chief of outdoor food," which gave the conversation a lightness Claire appreciated.
The first band started with soft, folky vocals — the kind that didn't force people to talk over it. The three of them chatted, laughed, shared popcorn. Claire felt herself relax in a way she hadn't expected to. And then... it happened.
She caught Miko watching her — not staring, just observing. Like he was trying to read her without asking anything.
She looked away, sipping from her drink.
Vienna leaned in a moment later. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Claire whispered. "Just thinking."
"Don't overthink," Vienna whispered back. "Enjoy the night. You're allowed to."
Claire smiled at that. Maybe Vienna was right.
But halfway through the second band's set, as the lights grew brighter and the bass kicked in, something shifted in the crowd. Claire turned slightly — and froze.
Standing a few rows behind them, talking to someone near the drink cart, was Diana.
Claire's breath caught.
She hadn't seen her for weeks, not since everything at school started simmering again. Not since the awkward tension around Miko. And now, here she was — in the same space, like the universe couldn't resist stirring the pot.
Miko noticed too. His eyes flicked over, and his jaw tightened ever so slightly.
Vienna noticed the look between them.
"Want to leave?" she asked softly, already gathering her things just in case.
But Claire shook her head.
"No," she said, her voice calm. "We're not doing anything wrong. We're just here for the music."
Miko looked at her, uncertain. "Are you sure?"
Claire met his eyes. "Yeah. I'm sure."
Because even if the past still echoed around them, tonight wasn't about drama. It was about choosing what felt right — and for the first time, not letting guilt make the decisions.
She turned back toward the stage, letting the music drown everything else out. Diana was there. The past was there. But Claire — she was here.
And for now, that was enough.
The third band had just finished their second song, and the crowd was swaying in rhythm when Claire saw her.
Diana. Walking toward them, slowly, carefully — like someone approaching a sleeping animal.
Claire sat up a little straighter. Vienna immediately clocked the change in posture and followed her gaze.
"Oh," Vienna muttered. "Here we go."
Miko turned too, clearly stiffening as Diana came closer. She looked good — composed, polished in a way that made her hard to read. But there was something sharp in her eyes. Something Claire remembered from a long time ago.
When Diana reached them, the music dulled in Claire's ears. It was as if the band had faded into background noise, a soundtrack to something quietly dangerous.
"Hey," Diana said simply.
"Hey," Claire replied. Her voice was calm. Not cold — not yet — but guarded.
Diana looked at Vienna and nodded politely, then turned to Miko with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Didn't know you were coming tonight."
Miko shrugged, trying to stay neutral. "Just wanted to hear some live music."
Diana's gaze slid to Claire again. "Funny coincidence, huh?"
Claire met her eyes without blinking. "Not everything's planned, Diana."
A pause.
Then Diana tilted her head slightly. "You didn't think it might be... strange? Sitting here with him, after everything?"
Vienna shifted next to Claire, clearly holding back a snort.
Claire answered evenly. "I told him I wanted Vienna to come. We're here for the concert. That's all."
Diana's lips pressed together. For a second, Claire could see the storm behind her cool exterior — the hurt, the pride, the disappointment. But also the anger. The same anger that had built silently between them for months, unspoken and heavy.
"You know," Diana said slowly, "when people say they've changed... it usually shows in who they protect. And who they leave behind."
Claire felt that one land.
Hard.
But she didn't flinch. She let it sting — then let it go.
"I'm not trying to hurt anyone," Claire said.
The music picked up again behind them — louder this time, as if the night itself didn't want to wait.
Diana nodded once. No drama. No explosion.
Just quiet judgment.
Then she turned and walked back into the crowd.
Claire let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Vienna leaned over. "You did good. Seriously."
Claire nodded slowly, her heart still pounding.
Miko didn't say anything, but his hand rested lightly on the blanket between them — not touching her, just close enough to say I'm here.
The music swelled again, and for the first time that night, Claire let herself sink into it — not to forget what happened…
…but to prove it didn't define her anymore.